Get your students engaged into Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (or any other primary source document) by using a word cloud of the primary source and the spiral question technique (aka the Detective Analogy).  Watch this one-minute video…pause it as you see each prompt and think about how students could respond to these questions before they would [...]

I live in the Midwest.  As I write this post, we are under the threat of a severe weather event known to meteorologists as a “derecho.”  Honestly, I have never heard that term prior to today.  So, I had to look it up.  A tool I use to find such information could have included using [...]

I have channeled my inner Martha Stewart and worked with my wife to create some word art candles as a teacher appreciation gift.  This fun and simple activity is great for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions.   For the step x step directions on how to complete this activity, see this interactive Mural.ly I created [...]

  With the school year winding down and coming to a close, it gives everyone in a school community (administration, teachers, parents, and students) a chance to reflect and be thankful for all those working together to make our education system meaningful.  There will be many gifts shared by students for their teachers.  Some of [...]

The following Slide Share was used for the TCI webinar on flipping your classroom.  What other strategies, tips, and sites do you like to use for flipped instruction?   Three ways to flip from Brian Thomas

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In the United States, many people use this occasion to honor Mexican contributions to our country. Take advantage of this holiday to have your students look around your community for examples of Mexican tradition and [...]

As we turn the page on the calendar, TCI will be focusing on assessments this month on our Facebook pages, many of our tweets, and our webinars.  Alive in Five kicks off with a look at three review games you can play inside your class as you prepare your students for assessments.

We’ve updated our list of great free technology sites and apps. Teachers don’t have to use technology to have powerful classrooms, but they can sure help! See how this guide, by the makers of History Alive, can create a spark of thought for educators just easing into using web 2.0 and mobile technology in their [...]

Ever feel like this? No worries! Only 100 or so more days to go for most of you!  

Irish eyes are smiling, and so are we at TCI.  For a little holiday fun in advance of March 17th, I have written a lesson to help students learn about Ireland’s most famous name.  This skill builder lesson utilizes an emerging tech trend as well, QR codes.  Now, have no fear if you’re not familiar [...]