Category: Classroom

New CANVA Feature!

December 22, 2022 PassionateAboutTeaching 2 Comments

Check out this new CANVA feature! 👏Teachers, we already know how awesome CANVA is, right?! I use it for everything…blog images, worksheets for class, PowerPoints for teaching, designs for social media, and the list goes on! However, they have released a new mind-blowing feature- AI (artificial intelligence) on their DOCS template. The possibilities with this are innumerable!

BENEFITS OF AI IN THE CLASSROOM

✏️ As a writing teacher, one of the most common problems I observe with students is getting started on a paper (writer’s block). This could be used to give students ideas on how to start a paper. Why not take the piece of writing and go through it, together, pointing out the strengths of the writing or what could be added to make it better? In addition, teachers can also have students research and validate the reliability and validity of the piece before them. This certainly covers important objectives, concepts and, if in Texas, your TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills). The options are endless! 👍🏻

HOW CAN WE EMBRACE AI IN THE CLASSROOM?

It was actually a student of mine that first introduced the capability of the AI application to me. I couldn’t believe it!!! Once I checked it out, I knew there would be differing opinions. I knew there would be some that point to the plagiarism aspect. However, I think we need to embrace and discuss this with our students in the classroom. It’s here (like it or not), our students know about it, and we can use it to their benefit.

Check out this video from @Algebramadesimple speaking of this new CANVA feature below. Let me know your thoughts and how you would use this in your classroom.

While on TikTok the other day, one of the best ways I saw AI being used was having the program write a lesson plan. 👀 Ponder on that for a minute, teachers. It sure sounds like this might not only benefit our students but us as well! Wow!!

Try out CANVA PRO for FREE!

Until next time,

Check this out!, Classroom, Classroom Activities, Teacher Resources

Happy Halloween 🎃

October 31, 2022 PassionateAboutTeaching 2 Comments

Happy Halloween! 👻🎃

Last week, I injured my knee. Therefore, I’m having major trouble getting around (especially at my age). However, that didn’t stop me from adding our black lights for a little “glow” today! Yes, some students had to help me! 😂

A little candy and pencil treat tops off the day for my kiddos! Add the spooky background music, and we’re set!

Be safe! Have fun! Tomorrow should be a fun day for teachers!🤪

Until next time,

Check this out!, Classroom

Have You Tried CANVA PRO?

October 18, 2022October 18, 2022 PassionateAboutTeaching 2 Comments

I have a new love – well, yes, chocolate, pumpkin spiced coffee and fall scented candles – I love all these things too. However, when it comes to designing for my blog, online teaching, TpT products, or classroom, I use CANVA PRO. You name it, they’ve got it.

PRO is CANVA’s premium library of high quality designs. They have stock photos, backgrounds, elements, incredible fonts, and tons of designs. If you need a blog, Instagram, or Facebook Story, they have ready-made or blank templates. One of my new favorite templates is their CANVA SLIDES. You can even present straight from CANVA.Add in the professional elements, photos, and animations, and you’re definitely looking like a pro. 💜

Here’s a SLIDE I made for my online teaching:

Need a logo for your business, a poster, infographic, resume, invitations, you name it, CANVA has it. As a classroom teacher, I’m ecstatic that they have now added worksheets. I made this worksheet in CANVA. Click HERE to grab your FREEBIE “Let’s Describe With Sensory Language.”

And with CANVA PRO…”Never pay for another image again…Yes, you read that right. With Canva Pro, you get VIP access to all our high-quality stock photography and stock video library. It’s a subscription with unlimited possibilities and creativity.” Unbelievable, right!

If you’d like to try out CANVA PRO for FREE, click HERE:

Here’s a few other designs I’ve made in CANVA.

They have QUOTE templates, or you can start from a blank template:

I created my banner and logo on CANVA as well:

Try out the FREE TRIAL CANVA PRO offers and decide for yourself. I think you’ll have a new love too! 😉

Until next time,

Disclaimer: Affiliate links are found above. At no cost to you, if you click on the links, I will earn a small commission.

Check this out!, Classroom

Halloween Task Cards

October 13, 2022October 12, 2022 PassionateAboutTeaching No Comments

With Fall Harvest 🎃(Halloween) around the corner, you might be searching for a fun and engaging classroom activity. This is ALWAYS a favorite of mine (and my students). Use these ready-made Halloween-Themed Task Cards to practice using context clues to figure out vocabulary.

There are so many ways to use these task cards – play SCOOT, hang them around the room and let partners complete them together, have a race with partners completing the cards, or my very favorite is KICK ME. Tape the cards on the backs of your students (yes, they freak out when you do this). The anticipation is enough to get the whole class into this.

Turn on some fall/Halloween music, and students walk around and answer the questions on the backs of one another. Lay out some ground rules, of course (the first one – NO KICKING allowed). Also, they have to stand still if someone is reading their card, have someone else read their own card, no running, and do your best to get as far as you can before time is up. I usually stopped after 3 students brought me all of their answers. All of their answers had to be correct to be a winner. 🎉

You can purchase these task cards HERE.

This product includes:

28 Halloween-Themed Context Clues Task Cards (black and white)
28 Halloween-Themed Context Clues Task Cards (beautiful fall colors)
Student Response Sheet
Answer Key

Let’s Play “Kick Me!”

What Have Customers Said:

“5.0 Extremely satisfied: Excellent resource, students enjoyed it.”

5.0 “Such a fun activity for learning context clues!”

Happy Fall Y’ll! Until next time…

Classroom Activities, Teacher Resources

To Decorate or Not to Decorate?

October 10, 2022 PassionateAboutTeaching No Comments

To decorate or not to decorate? Decorate, of course. Not only do I decorate my home for special holidays, but I also decorate my classroom. When I moved from the intermediate to the middle school, I wondered if my hormonal, nonchalant middle schoolers would actually even care or notice. Well, to my surprise, not only did they notice, they LOVED it.

I think we assume too often that because our students are older or indifferent, they won’t still enjoy the little things they did when younger. Yes, I know, with some things that is true, unfortunately. However, I’ve found that even middle schoolers still appreciate the added little touch of decor.

Do you decorate your home/classroom? Below are a few different ways I’ve decorated my classroom. I have to say…it doesn’t only bring a little extra joy to my students but to me as well.