Teacher-Authors: What’s Happening on my Writer’s Blog

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A lot of teacher-authors read my Ask a Tech teacher. In this monthly column, I share a popular post from the past month from my writing blog, WordDreams

Good efriend Terri Webster Schrandt reminded me of National Love Your Pet Day last year on her blog, Sunday Stills. I’ve waited all year to add my own celebration!

According to National Today Calendar, February 20 is Love Your Pet Day. As if we need only one day to love our pets.

“On February 20, we celebrate National Love Your Pet Day, a day to embrace one special trait that makes us human: our love of our pets! There are many things that differentiate humans from the rest of the animal kingdom, but one of the more unusual behaviors is our longstanding tendency to keep other animals as pets. Gallup reports that sixty percent of Americans are current pet owners.”

To celebrate, here’s my slideshow of my dog, Casey. Feel free to attach links to your beautiful pets in the comments so we can visit!

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From Play to Profession: Why Kids Should Discover Skilled Trades

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This is a topic dear to my heart–non-college options for high school grads. The Ask a Tech Teacher team has a good summary of why students should consider journeyman trades and vocational schools over college:

From Play to Profession: Why Kids Should Discover Skilled Trades

For years, the dominant message to young people has been that college is the only pathway to success. However, a growing number of educators, industry leaders, and parents are recognizing the immense value of skilled trades. Not everyone needs to attend a four-year university to build a successful and fulfilling career. By introducing kids to trades early, we open up opportunities for them to explore careers that match their skills, interests, and personalities while also addressing critical workforce shortages. (more…)

I’m traveling Feb. 16-22

I’m off to visit my two military children and then help my son move before deploying overseas. As a result, I won’t be around much–a bit, but forgive me if I seem to be ignoring everyone!

See you-all in a few weeks!

–Comments are closed because I will be completely unreliable!

President’s Day Activities Feb. 17, 2025

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Presidents’ Day is an American federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February–this year, February 17, 2025. It was originally established to honor George Washington, the first President of the United States, and expanded to also celebrate the birthdays and legacies of other U.S. Presidents, particularly Abraham Lincoln whose birthday is February 12th.

Here are great ways to celebrate in your classroom including websites, games, activities, printables, quizzes, audios, songs, interactive maps, crafts, flashcards, videos, webquests, books, posters, trading cards, lesson plans, word searches, puzzles, speeches, articles, animations, biographies, and more (click the titles for the link): (more…)

Engineers Week Feb. 16-22 2025

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This week, February 16-22, 2025 is DiscoverE’s Engineers Week. Their tagline:

“A week-long event, a year-long commitment”

Do you wonder why anyone would be passionate about engineering? Overall, engineering offers a combination of intellectual challenge, real-world impact, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. By pursuing a career in engineering, students can contribute to meaningful projects, solve complex problems, and make a positive difference in the world.

What is Engineers Week?

Engineers Week, also known as EWeek, is an annual event celebrated in the United States typically during the third or fourth week of February, this week: February 18-24, 2024 dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of engineering.

During Engineers Week, engineering societies, universities, companies, and other organizations organize workshops, competitions, seminars, outreach programs to schools, career fairs, and networking events. The goal is to inspire the next generation of engineers, showcase the importance of engineering in solving global challenges, and recognize the achievements of engineers and encourage young people to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

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How to Make Learning Math More Interactive and Engaging

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With the disturbing news about plummeting math scores here in the US, it’s good to review math teaching in your classroom and consider better ways to deliver lessons to students. The Ask a Tech Teacher team has ideas for you:

How to Make Learning Math More Interactive and Engaging

Math has a reputation—either you love it or avoid it like a pop quiz you forgot to study for. For many students, the struggle isn’t about intelligence but how math is taught. Endless drills, repetitive problem sets, and old-school memorization techniques can make even the most curious minds switch off.

But here is the thing: math does not have to be boring. It’s hidden in video games, sports stats, music beats, and even how your favorite social media app recommends content. The problem is that most teaching methods do not expose these fascinating aspects of mathematics.

Thankfully, technology, video games, and interactive hobbies may alter the story in the modern day. Here are some strategies to make arithmetic interesting and remembered, whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just a kid looking to transform math from a chore into something fun. (more…)

11 Valentine Sites For Students K-2

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Here are fun Valentine sites to fill those few minutes betwixt and between lessons, projects, bathroom breaks, lunch, and everything else (click here for updates on this list):

[gallery type="slideshow" ids="44901,44902,44903,58336,58337,58338,58339"]

Do you use any I missed? If you’re looking for more, here’s my collection of holiday lesson plans, easily adaptable to Valentine’s Day.

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Integrating Technology in Education for Modern Classrooms

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Technology can transform traditional classrooms into dynamic learning environments by leveraging exciting tools like virtual reality, AI, and educational apps. This not only enhances student engagement and accessibility to information but fosters critical thinking, digital literacy, and prepares students for a tech-driven future. If you’re wondering where to start, here are some good basics from the Ask a Tech Teacher international team:

Integrating Technology in Education for Modern Classrooms

Embracing technology is crucial for modern educators aiming to enhance their teaching methodologies and foster student engagement. In today’s classrooms, technology serves not just as a tool but as an essential part of the learning environment. Understanding its role and potential can transform traditional teaching into an interactive and efficient experience.

The integration of technology into education is not merely a trend but a necessity in our rapidly advancing world. As an educator, leveraging technological tools can significantly enrich your teaching methods and student interactions. Various platforms such as Canvas, AI-driven applications, and PowerPoint have become staples in classrooms, facilitating diverse and dynamic learning experiences. By understanding and utilizing these resources, you can create a more engaging educational environment that caters to various learning styles. An online electrical and computer engineering degree can equip educators with the necessary skills to effectively implement these technologies in their teaching practices. (more…)

Random Acts of Kindness Day is Coming. How Will You Celebrate?

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A friend of mine told me this story:

“On a chilly winter evening in New York City, Sarah (not her real name) was struggling with the cold and the cost of her subway ride home when an elderly man noticed her plight. Without hesitation, he gave her a fully loaded subway card, explaining he had more than he needed. He also offered her a homemade sandwich, insisting it was no good to waste food. This unexpected kindness brought tears to Sarah’s eyes, warming her not just with the promise of a meal and a ride home, but with the profound reminder of human compassion in an often indifferent world.”

That was one of many Random Acts of Kindness experienced in a world known for just the opposite. Now, February 9-15, 2025 in America is Random Acts of Kindness Week and is when everyone encourages acts of kindness without any expectation of consideration in return.

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” — Mark Twain

What is Random Acts of Kindness Day?

Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Day is twenty-four hours when anyone who chooses to participate agrees to perform unexpected acts of kindness to pay it forward for that time they need a little bit of unexpected care. We flaunt our altruistic side by doing something nice for another without a thought for the consequences.

Why is Kindness important?

Why kindness is important seems obvious, but really, it isn’t. I can name a whole lot of people who have succeeded despite being, well, jerks so why should we think there’s merit in a gentler approach?

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