• EDU AI Tool: NotebookLM

    Looking for a smarter, more flexible way to learn or teach? Google’s NotebookLM, launched in 2023, is an AI tool that turns articles, videos, and PDFs into personalized, conversational podcasts! Imagine summarizing all your educational resources into a podcast you can listen to while commuting, exercising, or just relaxing. Whether you’re an educator creating dynamic lesson content or a student juggling assignments, NotebookLM makes multitasking a breeze. Simply upload your materials, select the ones you want to summarize, and with just a few clicks, you’ll have an engaging audio overview that feels like a real conversation. Perfect for auditory learners…

  • A Few of My Favorite Library Things!

    After rewatching *The Sound of Music*, I was inspired to share some of my favorite library tools and items! As a school librarian, I'm always on the lookout for resources that make my job easier, engage students, and add a little fun to our daily routine. In this blog post, I’ll highlight some essentials that have become staples in my library setup. From innovative shelf labeling solutions to creative ways to display read-alikes, these items have transformed my space. I’ll also introduce some engaging activities, like using button makers and board games, that spark joy and excitement among students. Plus,…

  • Schoolai.com – Sandbox Chatbots for Students

    With so many AI tools available, deciding which ones are worth your time can be challenging. In New York, using any tool with students involves ensuring data protection, which limits many options. That’s why I'm excited about Schoolai.com—no student login required! This multifaceted platform harnesses AI within a safe, controlled environment. Teachers can create custom chatbots, known as Sidekicks, to enhance learning experiences without distractions. Schoolai.com offers a practical, secure way to integrate AI into education, making it a valuable asset for any educator. Ready to explore? Create your free teacher account today!

  • EduProtocol: Fast and the Curious

    The Fast and the Curious EduProtocol is ideal for teaching new information such as math facts or vocabulary words. Anything that with repetition would improve understanding and more to long term memeory.  This protocol spans five class days, using just 15 minutes each day. It is perfect to start at the beginning of the school week.

  • 📚 But Where is the Red Book? Introducing Talpa.ai Innovating Book Discovery!

    Discover Talpa.ai, the revolutionary AI-powered tool transforming library interactions. Utilizing advanced LLMs from Anthropic and OpenAI, it ensures accurate bibliographic searches validated by Bowker, Syndetics Unbound, and LibraryThing. Seamlessly navigate genres, character data, and even identify books by cover design. Explore the future of library innovation at Talpa.ai today.

  • Canva Can Help with Bulk Award Creation

    It's that time of year again, and I'm busy creating awards. With over 1,800 Battle of the Books awards to produce, handcrafting each one was not feasible. Canva came to the rescue with its user-friendly design and extensive templates, making the process easy and ensuring professional results every time.

  • Embracing the Fidget: A Transformative Approach to PD for Teachers

    As a Mathematics Teacher Trainer, I’ve discovered that working with adults during professional development sessions is remarkably similar to teaching in a classroom. Teachers often joke that they are the worst students, and there’s some truth to that. Teaching is an exhausting profession. You’re always “on,” wearing multiple hats, and masking your true feelings to be the best educator for your students. The stress is compounded when you have to plan for a substitute teacher, knowing that your students might only receive review material instead of advancing in new lessons. You might even have to reteach the content upon your…

  • Another EduProtocol: Bookakucha

    Imagine transforming the traditional book talk into an engaging, student-driven experience. Welcome to BookaKucha, a dynamic book presentation format inspired by the popular Pecha-Kucha style, crafted by Jon Corippo and Marlena Hebern in their book EduProtocols. What is BookaKucha? BookaKucha is a streamlined, classroom-friendly adaptation of PechaKucha, the world-renowned storytelling format known for its brevity and impact. In a typical PechaKucha session, presenters share their stories through 20 slides, each accompanied by 20 seconds of commentary. It’s the perfect blend of efficiency and creativity, often described as what “Show and Tell” always aspired to be. BookaKucha simplifies this even further…

  • Engaging Students with EduProtocols

    What are EduProtocols? EduProtocols are instructional lesson frames designed to engage students in learning through critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. EduProtocols can be used with any subject and any grade level, from kindergarten through adult education. The key to the success of EduProtocols is repetition. The original creators are Marlena Hebern and Jon Corippo, and several other authors have since added their voices to the EduProtocol movement. A recent addition is “EduProtocols for Primary,” which fills an important gap that was previously missing. I was lucky to receive an advanced reader’s copy, and it was fabulous! Any content can…