The six categories below represent the stuff I mostly write about. Click on one of the pics below to access posts on that topic. Or, click Search at the top of this page to find something specific. Enjoy!
Phenomena-based learning, systems approach, NGSS, science ideas/lessons.
AI and other tech, problem solving, better recall, focus, creativity, and much more…
Earth and Space Science phenomena, activities, labs, projects, and resources.
Brain-based learning, best ways to learn content and transferable skills etc.
Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), methods, projects, and ideas.
Chemistry ideas, activities, lessons, projects, labs, games, and resources.
The Vault
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Chemistry
3
- Jul 29, 2023 Phenomenon-Based Learning: How to Break Down Phenomena
- Jan 31, 2017 Why Sometimes You Just Gotta Rough It
- Jan 16, 2017 How To Unworksheet The Worksheets For Deeper Learning
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Earth Science
8
- Aug 21, 2024 Beginning the School Year with NGSS and Phenomenon-Based Learning
- Aug 5, 2024 Why the 5E Model Provides the Best Way to Teach Science the NGSS Way
- Jul 25, 2024 How to Create Engineering Challenges for Your Science Classroom
- Jul 11, 2024 Introductory Activities in Science: Using NGSS the Right Way to Engage Students
- Jun 27, 2024 Transforming Science Learning with Science and Engineering Practices
- Jul 29, 2023 Phenomenon-Based Learning: How to Break Down Phenomena
- Jul 22, 2023 Phenomenon-Based Learning Lessons: Choosing and Using Phenomena
- Jul 15, 2023 Where and How to Begin with Phenomenon-Based Learning
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Engineering
6
- Jul 25, 2024 How to Create Engineering Challenges for Your Science Classroom
- Sep 1, 2017 Design Thinking The Student Learning Experience
- Oct 1, 2016 How To Teach Design Thinking - 3 Infographics
- Aug 2, 2016 Hacking Design Thinking For Education Part 3: Design Thinking In School
- Aug 1, 2016 Hacking Design Thinking For Education Part 2: The Design Thinking Process
- Jul 27, 2016 Hacking Design Thinking For Education Part 1: What Is Design Thinking?
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Free Teacher Resources
1
- Oct 8, 2020 Why I Want To Crush School And You Should Too
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Learning
49
- Jul 5, 2022 Mistakes Are What It Takes
- Nov 20, 2020 Are Your Students Dual Coding? How To Make Combining Verbal With Visual The Usual
- Nov 13, 2020 3 Strategies to Help Students Learn More Effectively
- Nov 2, 2020 How to Maximize Learning with Students Teaching Students
- Oct 27, 2020 Active Learning: Manipulation of Information
- Mar 31, 2020 Distance Learning: Helping Students Set Up a Daily Routine
- Nov 29, 2018 Best Practice Checklist
- Nov 6, 2018 Weird Beats Normal
- Sep 14, 2018 Improve Your and Your Students' Memory with Memory Palaces (Free Classroom Lessons)
- Aug 23, 2018 Success Is Not About What You Know
- Aug 11, 2018 5 Beat Summer Procrastination Tips for Teachers and Teens
- Aug 1, 2018 3 Resources for Learning New Skills Faster (for Teens, Teachers, and Other Pros)
- Jul 31, 2018 How to Read 50% Faster [Free Lesson for Teens]
- Jul 30, 2018 3 Smart Back to School Items for Teens You Haven’t Thought Of
- Jul 26, 2018 How to Develop Good Habits. Part 2: Replace
- Jul 23, 2018 How to Make Learning and Life Easier for Your Kids
- Jul 20, 2018 How to Achieve Competence and Create Confidence
- Jul 14, 2018 Learn Faster, Study Smarter, and Remember More
- Jul 2, 2018 More Open-Minded in 3 Steps: Examine, Exercise, Experience
- Jun 27, 2018 3 Things Parents and Teachers Can Do Better to Help Teens Succeed
- Jun 19, 2018 Want Smarter People and Organizations? Teach Lateral Thinking.
- Jun 14, 2018 Don't Read Educational Books This Summer. Read These Instead.
- Jun 7, 2018 Brainstorming Is Beautiful. Here's How to Make It Better
- May 24, 2018 How to Improve Your Critical Thinking
- May 15, 2018 Deep Work: Skyrocket Your Productivity with These 4 Recipes & 8 Tools (Infographic)
- Feb 23, 2018 Achieving And Maintaining Focus In The Age Of Distraction And Anxiety
- Jan 24, 2018 How To Organize Information - Infographic
- Nov 20, 2017 3 Easy Ways To Hack Sleep To Improve Your Performance
- Oct 30, 2017 The Best Cramming Advice You Never Got
- Oct 28, 2017 What's The Brain Deal With Cramming?
- Sep 22, 2017 How To Learn Faster Infographic
- Jul 6, 2017 10 Secrets To Learning Anything Infographic
- Jun 29, 2017 Why Icarus Died Part 2: 5 More Secrets To Learning Anything
- Jun 28, 2017 Why Icarus Died Part 1: 5 Secrets To Learning Anything
- Jun 14, 2017 Simplify
- Mar 10, 2017 How To Use Clowns And Balloons In Learning
- Feb 9, 2017 3 Innovation Equations For Nerds (Normal Folk Need Not Read)
- Feb 8, 2017 3 Ways To Study Smart, Not Hard (Teaching Infographic)
- Jan 23, 2017 Infographic: Deeper Learning
- Dec 24, 2016 Happy Holidays And Thank You (The 12th Day)
- Sep 21, 2016 Beat Stress And Unlock Your Full Potential
- Aug 25, 2016 8 More Metacognitive Learning Strategies To Crush School With
- Aug 24, 2016 8 Metacognitive Learning Strategies To Crush School With
- Jul 21, 2016 How To Crush School
- Jun 29, 2016 Wanna Learn Something? Teach It!
- Jun 27, 2016 Chop It! How To Successfully Complete A Big Project
- Jun 20, 2016 Train The Brain To Learn: Overcoming Bad Habits
- Jun 11, 2016 Mix It Up Y'all! What, How, and Where You Learn (and Teach) Counts
- May 8, 2016 Brain Hacking 403: Recall - Making Learning Last
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Life Reflections
56
- Aug 31, 2018 The Smallest First Step
- Jul 10, 2018 To Focus on What Truly Matters You Must Fight Predators and Choose the Right Opportunities
- May 18, 2018 Producing Cogs When We Need Engines: A 3 Act Education Tragedy
- Apr 30, 2018 How to Cultivate Curiosity and Stop Stupidity (Part 1)
- Feb 27, 2018 Personalization, Standardization, And Why Education Is No Equalizer
- Nov 28, 2017 Are We Programming Our Students?
- Nov 23, 2017 Why We Need To Stop Telling Kids To Think Outside The Box
- Sep 25, 2017 Let's Keep It Real In Education
- Sep 12, 2017 Why Experts Are Dead And Smartphones Super Weapons
- Aug 18, 2017 Learning Is About Understanding And Changing The Brain
- Aug 7, 2017 Why Lifelong Learning Is More Important Than School
- Jul 20, 2017 Hey Students: Schools Are Dead
- Jul 11, 2017 Why Write a Self Help Book in a World Full of Them?
- Jun 17, 2017 Family
- Jun 16, 2017 Grace
- Jun 15, 2017 Finding Meaning (And Maybe Yourself Too)
- Jun 13, 2017 3 Essentials Of Leadership
- Jun 7, 2017 Why I Want To Be A Big Kid (And You Do Too)
- May 31, 2017 Rejection. Failure. Resilience.
- May 25, 2017 Let It Grow: Relax. Enjoy. Nourish.
- May 12, 2017 What Did You Learn Today?
- May 3, 2017 Slow Down!
- Apr 20, 2017 Waking Up And Letting Go
- Mar 20, 2017 We Are America
- Feb 26, 2017 Small Wins Make All The Difference
- Feb 21, 2017 Why We Need To Abandon Subjects And Focus On Big Picture Learning
- Feb 1, 2017 Can We Do Something? A Letter To The Principal
- Jan 27, 2017 Was Carol Dweck Wrong About Growth Mindset?!?!
- Jan 2, 2017 Just Because I Love You
- Dec 22, 2016 Wasting Time... (12 days Of Ideas #10)
- Dec 18, 2016 Design Thinking: Observe, Ask Questions, Build Empathy (12 Days Of Ideas #6)
- Dec 14, 2016 12 Days of Ideas #2: 3 Things I'm Grateful For
- Dec 12, 2016 How Not To Be An Entrepreneur - True Story
- Nov 30, 2016 Dear Administrator: Lead Or Shut Up
- Nov 14, 2016 Crossroads: Blood Or Progress?
- Nov 10, 2016 Have Courage
- Nov 8, 2016 We Make It Great, Not Them
- Nov 2, 2016 Getting By On Talent
- Oct 25, 2016 Best. Day. Ever.
- Oct 15, 2016 Living Audaciously
- Oct 13, 2016 Tomorrow Is A New Day
- Oct 10, 2016 I'm Pretty Weird, But The Universe Is Big Enough For All Of Us
- Aug 17, 2016 I Want To Fail Because I Want To Learn To Succeed
- Aug 14, 2016 Let's Expand The Universe And Help Our Students
- Jul 28, 2016 Have You Ever Wanted To Do Something Big?
- Jul 17, 2016 Dent The Egg Because Rules Are Meant To Be Broken
- Jul 14, 2016 Games, Brain, And Crushing School
- Jul 5, 2016 Universal Truth: We Create Our Own Reality
- Jun 23, 2016 What's Up With That Twitter?
- Jun 16, 2016 Tuesday
- Jun 8, 2016 The Earth Is Flat! - Question, Investigate, And Find Your Own Answers
- May 25, 2016 Sometimes Sweating The Small Stuff Makes All The Difference
- May 20, 2016 No Time For Change
- May 16, 2016 Universal Truth: Everyone Has At Least One Superpower
- May 12, 2016 Universal Truth: We All Have The Power To Change The World
- May 10, 2016 Small Acts Of Kindness Change The World
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Parenting
6
- Aug 4, 2018 3 More Smart Back to School Items for Teens You Haven't Considered
- Aug 1, 2018 3 Resources for Learning New Skills Faster (for Teens, Teachers, and Other Pros)
- Jul 23, 2018 How to Make Learning and Life Easier for Your Kids
- Jun 27, 2018 3 Things Parents and Teachers Can Do Better to Help Teens Succeed
- Apr 15, 2018 Why We Need to Teach Kids the "What’s Next?" Mindset
- Sep 6, 2017 Why We Need To Teach Kids Entrepreneurship
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Science
13
- Aug 21, 2024 Beginning the School Year with NGSS and Phenomenon-Based Learning
- Aug 5, 2024 Why the 5E Model Provides the Best Way to Teach Science the NGSS Way
- Aug 15, 2023 Creating Performance Assessments for Phenomenon-Based Learning
- Aug 12, 2023 Phenomenon-Based Learning: Lesson-Level vs Anchoring Phenomena
- Aug 9, 2023 Phenomenon-Based Learning: Model-Making Tools
- Aug 5, 2023 Phenomenon-Based Learning: Making Models for Understanding
- Aug 2, 2023 Unlocking the Unexplored: Creating a Common Learning Experience for Understanding Difficult Concepts
- Jul 29, 2023 Phenomenon-Based Learning: How to Break Down Phenomena
- Jul 26, 2023 Phenomenon-Based Learning: Guiding Student Investigations of Phenomena
- Jul 22, 2023 Phenomenon-Based Learning Lessons: Choosing and Using Phenomena
- Jul 15, 2023 Where and How to Begin with Phenomenon-Based Learning
- Jul 9, 2023 Understanding and Using Phenomenon Based Learning + Infographic
- Jul 4, 2023 Pros and Cons of Phenomenon Based Learning
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Teaching
113
- Oct 7, 2023 The Problem-Solving Classroom: Creating Critical Thinkers of Tomorrow
- Sep 28, 2023 AI for Teachers: Step into the Past; Converse with Marie Curie, then Malcolm X
- Sep 26, 2023 AI for Teachers: 3 Simple Ways to Use Artificial Intelligence in Lesson Planning
- Jul 12, 2022 Hollowed Be Thy... Equity?
- Jun 29, 2022 10 Ideas For Increasing Your Creativity
- Oct 20, 2020 How to Create Effective Interactive Digital Lessons
- Apr 28, 2020 The Most Important Quality of an Online Teacher
- Aug 8, 2018 Quick Tutorial on Delivering Killer Presentations
- Aug 6, 2018 How to Practice for a Killer Presentation
- Jul 24, 2018 Mastering Difficult Concepts the Easy Way
- Jul 16, 2018 Create Killer Presentations Your Audiences Will Love
- Jun 7, 2018 Brainstorming Is Beautiful. Here's How to Make It Better
- May 6, 2018 The Curiosity Web a.k.a. Why Spiders Are Cool
- May 2, 2018 How to Reawaken Curiosity (or Remain Curious Forever) - Infographic
- Apr 15, 2018 Why We Need to Teach Kids the "What’s Next?" Mindset
- Mar 29, 2018 50 Shades of Education Buzzwords in Grey (Infographic)
- Mar 26, 2018 104 Creativity & Imagination Stimulating Questions
- Mar 21, 2018 8 Habits & 9 Exercises That Grow Creativity
- Mar 13, 2018 Why Speaking Is A Skill Schools Suck At Teaching And How To Fix It
- Feb 21, 2018 Achieving And Maintaining Focus: Routine, Readiness, and Rhythm
- Feb 15, 2018 Listening Is A Skill Students Lack Because We Don't Teach It. Let's!
- Feb 14, 2018 How To Take Advantage Of Diverse Personalities In Team Building And Collaboration
- Jan 17, 2018 How To Make Better Decisions - Infographic
- Jan 5, 2018 How To Listen To Learn And Learn To Listen (Infographic)
- Dec 20, 2017 What Innovation Is And How To Teach It
- Nov 17, 2017 How To Keep Learning Alive And Avoid Death By PowerPoint
- Nov 14, 2017 Creative Teaching, Teaching Creativity, And A Forbidden Cramming Technique
- Oct 26, 2017 How To Stop Procrastination (+ A FREE Lesson To Teach It)
- Oct 20, 2017 How To Teach Students Spaced Practice (FREE Lesson & Planning Tool)
- Oct 11, 2017 Student Centered Lesson Design: Teach The Way They Want To Learn
- Oct 7, 2017 Why Do I Have To Learn This? How To Help Your Students Become More Open Minded
- Oct 1, 2017 Why Students Learn Better When They Teach (+ 4 Activities)
- Sep 19, 2017 Too Much What, Not Enough How
- Sep 1, 2017 Design Thinking The Student Learning Experience
- Aug 24, 2017 Powerful And Easy Way To Teach Kids (and Adults) To Focus [FREE Infographic]
- Aug 9, 2017 Back To School: How To Overcome Anxiety And Make Week 1 Memorable
- Aug 3, 2017 Back 2 School: No Drinking From The Fire Hose Please!
- Jun 20, 2017 The Teaching Silver Bullet: Using Oxy In Education
- Jun 8, 2017 The Final Exam Playlist
- May 18, 2017 How To Make Reading Less Boring And More Edji
- May 10, 2017 Are Students Learning? 3 Ways To Get Instant Feedback
- May 5, 2017 Why You Are A Lead Learner
- Apr 26, 2017 School Projects On Steroids: Adobe Pages
- Apr 24, 2017 Beyond PowerPoint: Adobe Spark Videos
- Apr 18, 2017 Supercharge School: 4 Benefits Of Replacing PowerPoints With This...
- Apr 15, 2017 Use This To Help Students Be Independent Learners
- Apr 4, 2017 How To Keep Lesson Design Simple But Powerful
- Mar 30, 2017 Keep It Simple Stupid: The Power Of 3 In Learning
- Mar 28, 2017 Finding Balance In A Flexible Seating Classroom
- Mar 27, 2017 Mistakes Are... A Free Poster For You
- Mar 24, 2017 How To Use Learning To Stop Michael Phelps' Evil Plan
- Mar 24, 2017 The User's Manual To Design Thinking Your Teaching (Infographic)
- Mar 21, 2017 How Messing Up Helps Us Become Better Teachers
- Mar 16, 2017 A Quick Guide To Successful Cyberspace Inquiry In The Classroom
- Mar 14, 2017 Smartphones In The Classroom: The Good, The Bad, And The Plan
- Mar 13, 2017 How To Empower Your Students' Learning TODAY (Infographic)
- Mar 6, 2017 Navigating Knowledge With Neurochemicals
- Mar 3, 2017 How To Transform Groupwork Into Collaboration
- Mar 2, 2017 Why Teaching Your Students To Fail Is The Only Option
- Mar 1, 2017 2 Quick Ways To Differentiate Instruction And Give Students Choice
- Feb 28, 2017 6 Essentials Of Project Based Learning
- Feb 23, 2017 Priming Your Students For Creativity (A Mind Control Infographic)
- Feb 22, 2017 How School Kills Creativity And How To Fix It
- Feb 20, 2017 Please Call The Cops 'Cause You're Killing Your Students!
- Feb 17, 2017 3 Ways Culture Affects Learning And How To Use Them
- Feb 13, 2017 Culturally Responsive Teaching In A Starbucks Classroom
- Feb 3, 2017 Stealing The Mona Lisa
- Jan 30, 2017 4 Quick Tips For Using Infographics As Learning Tools
- Jan 24, 2017 How To Use Visuals To Avoid Death
- Jan 23, 2017 Why Less Is More If You Want Students To Learn
- Jan 13, 2017 5 Steps To Deeper Learning #5: Collaboration
- Jan 11, 2017 5 Steps To Deeper Learning #4: Metacognition
- Jan 10, 2017 5 Steps To Deeper Learning #3: Correcting Mistakes
- Jan 8, 2017 5 Steps To Deeper Learning #1: Let Them Struggle
- Dec 23, 2016 4 To Dos To Get The Most Out Of Professional Conferences (12 Days Of Ideas #11)
- Dec 21, 2016 How To Power Up In The Classroom: 12 Days Of Ideas #9
- Dec 20, 2016 How To Use Constraints To Bring Out Creativity
- Dec 19, 2016 3 Questions To Ask About Learning In Your School (12 Days of Ideas #7)
- Dec 17, 2016 Change The Environment, Change Learning (12 Days Of Ideas #5)
- Dec 15, 2016 12 Days Of Ideas #3: More Of Them, Less Of Us
- Dec 13, 2016 12 Days Of Ideas I Got From TIES 2016: #1 Pechaflickr
- Dec 9, 2016 3 Ways To Use 30 Second Videos In Your Classroom
- Dec 6, 2016 Get Smart With EdReads Picks of The Week
- Nov 22, 2016 5 Steps To Better Memory And Understanding
- Nov 21, 2016 4 Learning Strategies To Stress With Students
- Nov 18, 2016 3 Reasons To Change The Way You Teach
- Oct 31, 2016 The Anatomy Of Grit: Preach It, Pitch It, And Teach It
- Oct 21, 2016 Teach Them How To Learn So They Can Own The Future
- Sep 30, 2016 Could This Be The Future?
- Sep 27, 2016 Evoke Emotions To Help Students Learn
- Sep 15, 2016 Overwhelmed And Overloaded: Welcome To Homework Central
- Sep 13, 2016 Google It! Collaborative Classroom Activity
- Sep 12, 2016 School Isn't The Movies: Unlecture Video Instruction
- Sep 10, 2016 I Stopped Lecturing, Because I Want My Students To Learn
- Sep 8, 2016 Week 1 Of School - Use The KISS Method
- Sep 5, 2016 Starbucks My Room: Last Bell Before The First Bell
- Aug 23, 2016 Metacognition: Hack Student Performance And Increase Motivation
- Aug 19, 2016 Who Am I Project: Build Classroom Community From Day 1
- Aug 16, 2016 Class Intro Infographic: The Swag Way To Show & Tell
- Aug 15, 2016 Metacognition: The Most Effective Learning Strategy (Teach And Develop It In Students)
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Virtual Reality
1
- Jan 18, 2019 Virtual Reality Learning