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Free Daily Bell Ringer Notebook for your 1st 9 weeks!

Do you do Bell Ringers in your class?

Do you want to start quality conversations with your students?

Do you want that in a single notebook that you can make a copy for each student?

If you wanna go 3/3 on that, this is the email for you!!!!

Click Here to Make a Copy of it!

Quote of the Day Bell Ringer Assignment - 1st 9 Weeks

Do you want me to explain to your students how they fill it out?

SWEET! Here ya go ➡️ Student Walkthrough

I’ve also got them if you wanna assign/grade them weekly and/or want a full semester notebook!

That’s it and I hope this helps you teach and connect with your students even better than you already are!

Never Stop Learning!

Tyler

P.S. All these quote of the day videos are on my YouTube! If you wanna go subscribe, that would help you see when I toss out new stuff to help you via video! 😁

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Help Students NOT Cheat (as much)! 😂🤦🏼‍♂️

Hello there, fellow Educators! 🍎

Tyler here from Tarver Academy!!

Do your students get confused when they’re allowed to open a new tab in a Google Form?

They out here taking a test and think it’s cool if they just go on a Google Search scavenger hunt for the answers.

You frustrated when they “say” they didn't know the rules for that From cause on the last time you gave them a Form they could?

You ain’t alone.

Different Forms, Different Rules!

Google Forms might be a test, review, or homework. Y’ALL KNOW The rules are different for each!

Create (or snag) some free headers to make your Google Forms look slicker than a Wet Floor sign in the bathroom!!

HOW DO I GET SOME, TYLER, TELL MEEEE!??!

Two ways to get them:

CREATE YOUR OWN HEADERS (and subscribe while you’re there if you want 😁)

Download one of the ones I’ve got below (or linked here)!

Is it necessary? Nah, probs not.

But is it a quick & easy level-up? Yeah, fo sho.

Hope this helps and that your school year is starting off AMAZING!!!!

Never stop learning!

Dr. Tyler

P.S. Like learning with Google? Learn literally everything in the Honor Roll (but ONLY if you want to)! 😂

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The easiest way to record student discipline throughout the year!!

Hello fellow educator!!

Got another l’il resource for you this year if you want it!

So, we knowwwww we need to record discipline issues that occur in our class.

But here’s the issue like a Highlights Magazine…

It takes wayyyyyyy too long to fill out the traditional discipline template (linked here if you want it) if we’re actually going to document every single issue we have in class.

Here’s the tip…

let the students record their own discipline!

Say hello to the Student Discipline Google Form – your time-saving, student-accountability CO-PILOT ON THIS MAGIC CARPET RIDE!

Imagine this: quick, paperless discipline reporting that empowers students to own up to and reflect on their actions!!

But Tyler, they’ll just walk out of class and not fill it out...

So what I did was give students two options:

a) fill out this 3-question discipline form

b) go see the principal 😳

99% of the time…they went with Option A.

💡 Key Benefits:

1️⃣ Time Saver: Ditch the paperwork! Instantly collect discipline info without having to stop what YOU’RE doing.

2️⃣ Student Empowerment: Encourage accountability by letting students report their actions directly.

3️⃣ Easy Implementation: Attach the template to your LMS or Google Classroom – then just tell them to go to it when they’ve crossed the line!

QUICK TIP: Check submissions before they hit submit, ensuring meaningful insights and that they didn’t just say “i dunno, i dunno, i don’t care.”

Empower. Streamline. Succeed.

Stay efficient out there, educators!

Never stop learning,

Dr. T

P.S. Speaking of efficiency, you wanna get better at Google this year during your lunch break?

Coolio, you should join the Honor Roll if you’re into learning and hearing my super southern voice while you eat your daily turkey sandwich! 😂 🦃

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Free Back to School Starter Kit for Teachers: Get Ready for a Successful Year!

We can’t run from it, WE BACK AT IT AGAIN CAUSE TEACHERS GONNA TEACH!!!

That doesn’t mean I can’t keep tossin you some free back-to-school goodies along the way!

Make a copy of this Back to School Starter Kit for Teachers!

Is the link not working? Try clicking here!

This Back to School Starter Kit is a go-to collection of essential tools and resources to set you up for a fantastic year ahead!! This kit is designed to simplify your preparations, ensuring that you have everything you need to create a positive and productive learning environment for your students!

TL;DR? You can watch this info in less than a minute here! (Subscribe if you like it! 😁)

What's Inside the Kit:

Digital Notebooks: Embrace the convenience of digital organization and explore various online platforms that can enhance your teaching methods.

Resource Links: Discover a curated list of websites and platforms that offer valuable teaching materials, lesson plans, and educational activities.

Checklist for Success: A comprehensive checklist that covers all the crucial aspects of starting a successful school year. From classroom setup to curriculum planning, it's got you covered!

Streamlined Discipline Templates: Maintain a structured approach to discipline with these ready-to-use templates. Whether you need to record positive achievements or address challenges, these templates offer flexibility!

That’s it!

This kit is my way of supporting you in your mission to create an engaging and effective learning experience for your students!! So when you're ready to dive into your back-to-school preparations, know that this resource is here to make your journey smoother and more successful!

Thank you for your dedication to education and for being a part of this community.

Let's make the upcoming school year the best one yet!

Never stop learning!!

Tyler

P.S. Want to learn on your lunch break this year? ChatGPT, Canva, Google, and more?

Get access to EVERYTHING I’ve got!

Join the Honor Roll (and it just went down to $3) YEAH I SAID $3 CAUSE I LOVE YOU!

HAVE THE BEST YEAR EVER!!

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My Favorite activity for the 1st day of class! (free resource alert)

What up, wonderful educators!

Today, I want to share my all-time favorite activity for getting to know my students at the beginning of the school year! Don’t want me to elaborate but you DO want the resource! GET IT HERE and watch a quick vid explaining it!

Oh, so you DO want me to elaborate? I GOT YOU FAM!! 😁

Not only is it engaging and fun, but it's also an excellent way to help your students become more proficient in using Google Slides for collaboration!!

Alright, here's how it works:

I've created a Google Slide template with two slides: "Our Class" and "Instructions."

When you get the template, simply delete my little self-promo slide (slide numero uno), and you're good to go!

Here's how you present it to students:

Get the free Google Slide template

Make a copy

Share the template with your students, granting them editing access

Google Classroom > Classwork > Attach Slide > “Students can edit file”

Let the magic begin!

Students can all jump in and start filling in their information simultaneously.

You might be wondering, "But what if my students aren't familiar with Google Slides?" Not to worry! I've got you covered. The template includes links to instructional videos for each of the instructions it gives. Your students can watch these videos if they need help with anything!!

Now, why do I love this activity so much?

Improved Collaboration: It encourages students to work together, collaborate, and learn from (and about) one another.

Independent Learning: They can explore Google Slides features on their own with the help of the provided instructional videos.

Self-Reliance: It sends a message to your students that you're there to support them, but you also trust them to figure things out independently.

The excitement and chatter in the room when they're working on the Google Slide is legit incredible!

Feel free to forward this activity to any educators you know who might find it helpful. Let's help each other create a positive and engaging learning environment for our students!!

Here's to an exciting and successful new school year!

Never stop learning!!!

Dr. T

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Open House Form for Parents!!

Open houses are a great opportunity for teachers to connect with parents and get to know their students.

Buttttttt they can also be a bit of a pain….

When I was teaching Math, I used to have a piece of paper sitting on my desk at open houses, and parents would fill it out while they were waiting to talk to me. But that was a pain too. Parents would often forget to fill it out, or they would fill it out incorrectly, or they write their email down and it’s so scribbly and messy it looks like they wrote it while being attacked by Scar from The Lion King whilst skydiving and it’s more frustrating that this ridiculous run-on sentence!.

So (just for YOU), I created a Google Form that parents could fill out instead!

GET YOUR OWN COPY OF THE GOOGLE FORM BY CLICKING HERE!

(Here’s a quick vid bout dat)

It's a simple form that asks for the student's name, the parent(s) contact information, and how excited the student is about my class this year. I also asked whether there's anything I should know that could help me be the best teacher for their child this year.

BONUS: Put the link to the form on a QR code that you post up in the hallway. Parents can scan the QR code with their phone and fill out the form right there on the spot while they’re waiting their turn!

This has made open houses sooooo much easier for me.

I don't have to worry about keeping track of who I've talked to, and I have all the information I need about my students in a sortable spreadsheet.

Much love and happy start of the new school year! Never stop learning,

Dr. Tarver

P.S. Want your fellow teachers to get these l’il free resource emails? Help them out by forwarding this email and telling them to put their email in here!!

P.S.S. Need to make up some summer pd hours you missed? I got a 3-hour training where I literally just go through a TON of resources to help you and your students! CHECK IT OUT HERE!

:)

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Printable Back-2-School Bingo Boards for Students!

I know, I’m sorry for mentioning it!!

If you don’t go back til August or September, feel free to flat out ignore thissss!! 😂 Yesterday, during the Canva Workshop, we made a couple of Back-2-School Bingo papers you can print off and use with your students!!

Here’s the Color Version (for those of you with them boujee school printers)

Here’s the Black & White version if you wanna save them color copies!

That’s it! More Back-2-School Resources to come!!

Feel free to forward this to all your teacher friends (or principals) and tell them to put their email in here so they can get allllll them fun l’il free resources!

Happy summer and keep relaxin!

Never stop learning,

Dr. Tarver

P.S. If you need to catch any last-minute summer PD hours, I got Google, Canva, ChatGPT, and more for all the Honor Roll Members to watch at your leisure (and learn something along the way)! Join if you think that could help! :)

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What are the GOAT companies for teachers?

You’ve heard the term “GOAT” right? 

GOAT = 🐐 = Greatest of All-Time

For me, it’s a tier system. 

If imma call something The Goat, that means it has reached the upper echelon of greatness. 

For education, Google and all its legs has been living here long enough to have a pretty hearty 401k.  But there’s another program that’s been chillin in that tier like an ice cream sandwich of destiny.

That’s right… Canva = 🐐

FUN FACT: The pro version is FREE for educators. 

Yeah, they built like that. 

Seriously, I’ve blasted y’all all summer with how Ai gonna save you time and help you get EVEN BETTER.  Welp, Canva not only locked down the graphic game, but they’re in the Ai game now like they got drafted #1 by the 76ers! 

With just a little further ado, here are a few things Canva doing that I recommend you trying out that gonna make your heart light up! 

Clear & Branded Headers 

Wanna build community in your classroom? Do it the FIRST DAY OF CLASS for free and super easy. Use Canva to create a collaborative Google Classroom Header with your students’ input! Here’s a quick walkthrough of what that might look like (don’t forget to like & subscribe while you there). 

Automatically Generated Presentations FROM YOUR OWN NOTES 

That’s right. Literallyyyyyy just copy/paste your notes on any topic into one of their Docs, then have it automatically generate a presentation for you. Yeah. I’m serious. Try it out asap rocky! 

Generate Images from Text Input 

Yuppppp. They did it. Just put in writing what you want it to create and BAM, you got an Ai created image! Use your creativity to make things happen. Even if you don’t, let your students.

So, my dear fellow teachers, it's time to unlock your creativity and make a lasting impact on your students' educational journey. 

Yeah, I went there. 

You’re going there, too.  That’s why you the 🐐!

Never stop learning, 

Dr. Tyler of Arkansas

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How to help your Students become (better?) Critical Thinkers!

In today's ever-changing world (aka Planet ChatGPT), the ability to think critically has become a vital skill for students to navigate the complexities of life.

Seriously, just Google “What do Employers want from future Employees,” and almost every research study will tell you their top 3 things are:

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking

Don’t steal from me

As educators, it's one of our 1,500 responsibilities to try and help cultivate this essential skill set in our students whenever possible.

In the next few minutes, I wanted to help you explore five practical strategies (inspired by notable professionals) to help you foster critical thinking skills in the classroom (where applicable).

Shape the Climate to Support Thinking: Dara Laws Savage, an experienced English teacher, emphasizes the importance of creating a thinking-based classroom environment. By integrating current events into lessons, teachers can encourage students to think critically about the world around them. One effective technique is the FIRE Write: students focus, identify, reframe, and exchange their thoughts, fostering active engagement and critical reflection.

Free Related Resource: Adapt this Bell Ringer Notebook and insert video news articles!

2. Foster Self-Esteem and Effort-Based Mindset: Dr. Kulvarn Atwal, an executive head teacher, highlights the significance of raising students' self-esteem and promoting an effort-based mindset. Teachers can create a positive classroom culture that values perseverance and growth. By praising students explicitly for their critical thinking and development, educators can reinforce the idea that effort, not innate ability, leads to success.

Free Related Resource: Help with that classroom culture by giving the “Be Thankful” vibes daily with the Daily Gratitude Journal!

3. Encourage Questioning and Reflective Thinking: According to Larry Ferlazzo's research, secondary education teachers have varying perceptions of critical thinking skills. Teachers can encourage students to ask questions and engage in reflective thinking to address this. Diane Dahl, an education professional, suggests using prompts like "What evidence supports your claim?" or "What alternative perspectives exist?" This approach nurtures deeper analysis and encourages students to challenge assumptions.

Student Activity Idea: Have them write something, then paste what they wrote into Bard/ChatGPT and have it “Tell me why I’m wrong.”

4. Promote Collaborative Learning: Meg Riordan, an instructional coach, believes collaborative learning environments are conducive to developing critical thinking skills. Encourage students to work together in groups, fostering discussions, debates, and the exploration of diverse viewpoints. Through collaboration, students can develop the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information critically.

Shameless Plug: I wrote a book that helps teachers with this, but also, do you, booboo!

5. Integrate Real-World Problem-Solving: Dr. PJ Caposey emphasizes the importance of connecting critical thinking to real-world problem-solving. Teachers can present authentic, complex problems that require students to apply critical thinking skills in practical scenarios. By solving real-world problems, students gain a deeper understanding of the value and relevance of critical thinking in their lives.

Incorporating these strategies into the classroom will empower students to become critical thinkers who can confidently navigate the world's complexities (when they don’t always have a certified professional in the room to answer every single question for them).

By shaping the classroom climate, fostering self-esteem, encouraging questioning and collaboration, and integrating real-world problem-solving, you can help lay a soliddddd foundation for your students' lifelong critical thinking skills!

Or don’t, I’m not your boss!! 😂

Never stop learning,

Dr. Tyler Tarver

P.S. I’ve got a FREE Baller Teacher Conference playing today! Hopefully you can jump in and knock out some PD hours. This is a replay of the virtual conference we did a couple summers ago! If you want to get any of your summer PD knocked out with me (at your own pace), make sure you tell your school to buy you this!

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5 ways to use ChatGPT with your students (to help them get better)!

Hey there GREATEST TEACHER IN THEIR BUILDING!

Literallyyyyyy, as I was logging into my Squarespace website, it asked me if I wanted to use their new Ai tool to write this.

Yeah, it started prompting Ai to write a post for you about using Ai in the classroom.

Crazy world.

It’s only gonna get more crazy.

Just like farmers use tractors to help farm, every kid in our classes gonna use Ai to help write in the future.

So….(just like I said in our ChatGPT in Education Training) I TOTALLY understand if you wanna keep Ai out of your classroom like a hat on a kid’s head,

but…

if you do want a few quick ideas on how you can help students learn to use this new tech to help them learn and grow, here are a few prompts they could put into ChatGPT or Bard to elevate their learning (just like they’re gonna do in the future ((and like I did for this post 😬)) ).

5 EXAMPLE Ai PROMPTS TO USE WITH STUDENTS

Prompt: "If you could invent a school subject, what would it be and why?" Let those wild imaginations run wild like the word frolic as your students design their dream subjects, like "Unicornology" or "Time Travel 101."

Prompt: "Create a business plan for the silliest product you can think of." Encourage entrepreneurial thinking by challenging your students to turn wacky ideas, such as "Square-shaped oranges" or "Glow-in-the-dark socks," into fully-fledged business ventures.

Prompt: "Write a persuasive essay to convince your parents that homework is illegal." This prompt lets students flex their persuasive muscles while adding a dab of humor. It's a win-win!

BONUS: After it writes this, have them copy/paste that argument BACK into ChatGPT and then say “prove this wrong.”

Prompt: "Design a secret handshake for your favorite historical figure." Merge creativity with history by asking students to create unique handshakes for iconic personalities like Einstein or Cleopatra. Who knows, maybe they'll discover hidden talents in choreography!

Prompt: "Compose a rhyming song to remember the quadratic equation." Embrace the power of music and mathematics as your students craft lyrical masterpieces that turn quadratic equations into catchy tunes.

Remember, these prompts are just the tip of the iceberg, not the Titanic.

The key is to foster an environment where students can explore, question, and challenge conventional wisdom. Let their curiosity thrive, and watch as their skills blossom like a 90s TV show.

So, dear teachers, go forth and ignite the flames of creativity, innovation, and laughter in your classrooms. Reimagine teaching with these prompts, and help inspire your students to become impactful leaders, problem solvers, and lifelong learners for the future they’re actually going to live in.

"The job isn't to catch up to the status quo; the job is to invent the status quo" – Seth Godin

Stay inspired, stay impactful, and keep making a difference in the lives of your students.

Never stop learning,

Dr. T

P.S. If you wanna get 3 hours of PD this summer on ChatGPT in Education (where we roll through a ton of Prompts for students AND teachers), you can watch it AT YOUR OWN PACE! Get it here and have your building pay for it. This 3 hour training will help you save 3 hours a week. Seriously.

P.S.2 It’s not too late to get 6 hours of PD with me LIVE TOMORROW (Wednesday) on Google in Education! If you can’t make it tomorrow though, you can still get it and watch it at your own pace anytime you want!

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How to get one of those PLN things everyone is talking about!

Fifteen years ago, I embarked on my educational YouTube journey (back when there were only eight teachers on the platform). These were the earlyyyyyy days of YouTube. It wasn't monetized, too early to be blocked, and most teachers mistook it for an American version of the British band that is with or without us.

But I noticed all the "cool educators" weren’t on the ole YouTube. They were busy networking on Twitter, so ya boi thought it would be more rad than a 1986 bicycle movie starring Lori Loughlin to connect, collaborate, and share projects with them.

I wanted a seat at the cool kids table.

However, my tweets didn't ever catch traction, and I never felt like I could set my tray down at their table.

If they don't give you a seat at the table, build your own table.

So I just started posting videos, creating resources, and doing presentations at every conference that would accidentally let me.

I began sharing my work, and something pretty great happened – like-minded individuals who were also creating and sharing all on their own reached started reaching out to ME.

Together, we built our own table – a vibrant and supportive Professional Learning Network (PLN). Aka Friends Who Also Care About Education and Help YOU Get Better at Education

So what IS a PLN?

A PLN is a community of educators who share your passions and help contribute to your professional growth. Like Bubba and Forrest, you can lean on each other so you don’t get your heads in the mud.

PLNs can encompass teachers, administrators, professors, researchers, social media friends, and even students. It's a network that transcends physical boundaries, fostering collabs and personal development.

To expand your PLN and get on that valuable connection game, consider these avenues:

Online Discussion Groups: Join vibrant online communities where educators gather to exchange ideas, seek feedback, and support one another.

Attend Conferences: Participate in conferences such as ISTE (I’ll be there if you wanna say what uppppp) to connect with like-minded professionals face-to-face. These events provide excellent opportunities for networking and learning from experts in the field. These connections are underrated imo, so don’t be afraid to connect at them!

Embrace Social Media: Explore platforms like TikTok (#tiktokteachers) and Instagram (#teachersofinstagram), where educators share insights, personal struggles, comments, innovative practices, and classroom experiences. Engaging with educational blogs, podcasts, and book clubs can also fill that PLN void in your heart!

Collaborate Locally: Don't forget about the incredible resources right down the hallway. Engage with colleagues in your school or district, as well as nearby educational institutions and ESCs. Building relationships with those down the hall from you can lead to meaningful collaborations and support (plus in-person coffee just tastes better than virtual coffee).

Your PLN is more than just a source of information and resources – it's a community of educators who can provide support and help you grow both personally and professionally.

Find your people, and let your vibe attract your tribe (it rhymes, so it has to be true).

Remember, even if you haven't connected with anyone yet, keep building that table of collaboration and growth.

Never stop learning,

Dr. Tarver

P.S. If you have any hours left to fill this summer, you might just find your PLN with some of the Virtual Summer Trainings I’m hosting! Legit, there are some great people that hang in them that I’ve gotten the chance to collab with years later in-person! REMINDER: Get your admin to pay for it, save your money for the beachhhhh.

P.S.S. Doing our first 2 sessions THIS WEEK! ChatGPT in Education and Google Add-ons Roundup! Even if you can’t come, the videos will be available afterward to watch as well!

HAPPY LEARNING THIS SUMMER PEEPS!!

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How to get THE MOST out of Summer Trainings (or at least not waste your time)!

Welcome, educators, to Summer School (for people who already have bachelor’s degrees)!

A time to bask in the sun and ignite your professional development journey like a tiki torch at your annoying uncle’s summer bar-b-que!

Now that you have the time to use the restroom WHENEVER YOU WANT, I was to honor your valuable time with a few practical tips and resources to make the most of your summer professional development trainings.

This summer, let’s make a pact to get better and HAVE FUN!

Take Good Notes Let’s be honest, how much do you actually implement from a summer PD session during the school year? Probably not a whole ton. However, if you’re organized with your notes during sessions, you can (a) share and collaborate with your team, (b) show your principal what you did (or didn’t) get out of it, and (c) easily locate it in August!

RELATED FREE RESOURCE - Summer PD Notes Template!

2. Connect and Collaborate: Take advantage of your summer trainings to connect with like-minded educators and build collaborative networks, in-person AND online! Legit, one of the best educator networks I’ve ever been a part of is #TeachersofTikTok. Find your people, share your stories, and encourage each other! Plus, joke around a lil bit during these trainings. A little laughter and humor can go a long way in fostering meaningful connections.

RELATED RESOURCE - 2021 TikTok Teacher Conference (6 hours of PD)

3. Craft Your Personal Story: As you engage in professional development activities, reflect on your journey as an educator. Discover the unique experiences that have shaped YOU, and weave those narratives into your teaching philosophy. Embrace the power of your story to inspire and connect with your students on a deeper level. Every resource you get, always think “how does apply to ME?”

4. Embrace Technology and Innovation: Stay up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and innovative teaching methods. Not ALL of them, but at least enough to save yourself time and know when students are cheating using tech. Attend sessions that explore new tools, platforms, and strategies. Even if you don’t become and expert in a new program, learn enough to hand it to your students and let THEM become experts!

RELATED RESOURCE - ChatGPT in Education (3 hours of PD)

5. Take Breaks and Recharge: Amidst the whirlwind of professional development, remember to take breaks and recharge. Go for a walk, indulge in your favorite hobbies, or simply enjoy a good laugh with colleagues (ideally not at the presenter’s expense 😂). A refreshed mind is a catalyst for creativity and growth!!

RELATED FREE RESOURCE - Teacher Mental Health Best Practices (3 hours of PD) Click then hit “Subscribe”

Embrace the unexpected.

Connect with fellow educators.

Tell your unique story.

Let’s make this the BEST (and most useful) summer of PD we’ve ever had!

Never stop learning,

Dr. T

P.S. I’m doing 10 PD sessions LIVE this summer! That means you can ask questions and join the conversation, all from the comfort of your own home office (aka dat couch life). Get your principal to get it for you here, or for your entire building here!

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Dive into Scientific Mysteries with Research Quest, A Teacher's Epic Tale (Sponsored Post 😄)

Greetings, fellow educators! 

As we voyage through the ever-evolving realm of education, we are always on the lookout for valuable resources to ignite our students' passion for learning (or at least get them off Snapchat for a couple of minutes). You will want to bookmark these resources as you plan for the next school year. They will help you get off on the right foot by exciting your students' and engaging their critical thinking skills! You know, that thing that every boss wants their employees to have! 

Allow me to introduce…Research Quest, an amazing online series of science investigations hosted by the renowned Natural History Museum of Utah!

Embarking on a Quest for Scientific Marvels:

Marco…POLO! 

AKA Let your students become explorers! Research Quest investigations help your students dive into real-world scientific mysteries, through the power of digitized museum collections and data. Students are immersed in captivating investigations that challenge them to unravel the secrets of the natural world. 

Picture this…students…unearthing ancient fossils…through a digital 3D model of a dinosaur jawor embarking on daring aerial and ground research to solve the puzzling mystery behind the Lodgepole Pine trees (no relation to Tadpoles [I think]).  No matter which investigations you use, Research Quest creates an interactive learning environment that whisks students away on an extraordinary journey of discovery.

Unlocking the Treasure Trove of Critical Thinking:

Prepare to witness the transformation of your students into masterful critical thinkers. Research Quest possesses a profound ability to awaken their young Sherlock Holmes by engaging them with authentic scientific questions, data, and evidence. As they navigate through the phenomenon-based investigations, students learn the art of evaluating arguments, weighing evidence, and honing their analytical prowess. 

With their trusty Research Assistant Notebooks by their side, they’ll embark on a heroic quest to solve perplexing questions while equipping themselves with invaluable critical thinking skills that will serve them on their lifelong adventures.

An Odyssey of Engaging and Impactful Learning:

Prepare to be awestruck by the captivating power of Research Quest. My oldest son, this is his bag more than a step-back 3-pointer is in James Harden’s. The idea is that, by using Research Quest in your classroom, you’ll witness your students’ metamorphosis from little cell phone pirates into engaged explorers solving more mysteries than Carmen Sandiego. 

TL;DR:

Research Quest, a totally free offering from the Natural History Museum of Utah, beckons students to embark on a number of extraordinary expeditions. As they delve into real-world scientific mysteries, you’re able to kindle the flames of curiosity, foster critical thinking, and promote a deep appreciation for the marvels of the natural world. 

Check it out here (and let me know how it goes)!!

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The Ultimate Summer Survival Kit for Students (that they'll probably ignore 😂)

Hey there, BEST EDUCATORS IN THE WORLD!

In the words of Mungo Jerry, IT’S SUMMERTIME SO GET HYPEEEEE (I’m paraphrasing 😂).

Are you ready to turn up the heat like Jimmy Butler and help your students make progress over the summer?

I've got four free resources that will help those students who want to keep striving EVEN AFTER they’re not required to attend in the classroom. I know this is a small group of young Padawans, but one that we always want to provide additional resources for!

Without further ado, here they are:

Digital Student Habit Tracker - "Habit that for Humanity!"

This l’il chicken nugget will be their virtual sidekick, helping them monitor their daily habits. As James Clear, the guru of atomic habits, once said, "Success is the product of daily habits, not once-in-a-lifetime transformations." So let's prepare them for success, one habit at a timeeee!

Daily Planner - "Ain’t No Party Like a Daily Planner Party!"

Who says organization can't be as fun as wasting hours a day on TikTok? They can jot down their summer adventures, schedule activities, and keep track of all the digitally noteworthy memories they're gonna make. As Albert Einstein, the OG task whisperer, once quipped, "Digital notebooks are more fun than a Destin 30A vaca!”

Gratitude Journal - "Thank you for being a Friend!"

This journal is gonna be their guide to daily remembering how much they appreciate the people around them. According to (insert research study here), daily reflections on what we’re thankful for leads us to have a more positive outlook on life!

Quote of the Day Notebook - "Whatever you do, don’t put this in quotations!"

Every day, your students will ride a Razor scooter of thought-provoking quotes from famous historical figures, but without hitting their shins!

That’s the gist of it!

Hope these resources help, and if nothing else, you can say you tried! Much love and never stop learning out there!

-Dr. T

P.S. We’re in the home stretch before you gotta knock out that Summer PD! So, if you want to get your hours virtually with me tossing you resources and tutorials, tell your Principal to give you the school card so you can get all of these!!

[tylertarver]

a couple ideas to get your students to remember how GREAT you are!

Before we get rollin, if you missed the Teacher Appreciation Week gift, it’s not too late!

Get a signed copy of The Baller Teacher Playbook for $1 (or a Certified Baller Teacher Coffee Mug)!

Just click here to get $15 off the $16 cost! (That equals $1 in case you aren’t Math certified 😂)

OKAY, TYLER, GET TO THE POST! ok ok sorry!! Here goes…

As the school year wraps up like an oversized Chipotle burrito, it's time to reflect and even level-up on the lovely rapport you've built with your students!

After all, you spent more time with them than with your family and friends this past school year. So, let's make sure to reinforce how great you were as a teacher before we send them to the teacher in the grade above us (where they’ll pretend you didn’t teach them anything so that teacher will waste time reaching it)!

Here are three quick tips to make sure you're ending the school year on a high note:

Listen up, buttercup! Ask their opinion on things they loved from the year. Tell stories. Ask opinions. Mainly listen actively to your students and show them that you care about what they have to say. They might surprise you with their insights and ideas (that you could apply next year)!

Give 'em a gold star! Celebrate your students' achievements, no matter how big or small. You could give them a shout-out in class or even create a special display in the classroom. Let them know that their hard work is noticed and appreciated. I used to do an Award Ceremony to honor skills people care about after graduation besides “Highest Grade” or “Most Improved.” A quick Google Form could get the winners in less than 10 seconds!

Be the cool teacher. Not in a “yeah, I know who Jack Harlow is” kinda way, but in a “be approachable and welcoming kinda way.” Smile, use positive language, and create opportunities for your students to interact with you. Tell them they can come to you if they need someone to chat with about their concerns about the summer or next year, and you'll remind them you weren’t born 25 years old with a teaching degree wearing Tuesday khakis. Tell a story. Relate to them. Show they can get through it, too!

Remember, building positive relationships with your students isn't just important for their success in the classroom.

It's important for their success in life.

So, let's make some magic like Hermione (the true hero of the series) and build those relationships (while we still can)!

Never stop learning,

Tyler

P.S. Doing a virtual PD on Motivating and Engaging Learners on June 21 if your Principal is cool with paying for it! Save your money for Destin! 😂

[tylertarver]

3 tips to make the most after state testing!

Alright, let’s land this preverbal school-year airplane like we prime Sully (or at the very least Tom Hanks in a uniform)!

If you're a teacher, you know that state testing is a beast. But once it's finally over, it's time to party like it's an old Prince song racing back up the charts in the late 90s.

Here are 3 tips for making the most of your newfound (classroom teaching) freedom:

1. Ask your students for feedback. Not just for those lessons, but on the whole year!! They've been through this stressful time with you and probably have some opinions about what worked (and what flopped like Green Lantern). Just be prepared when they recommend “more pizza parties, less homework.”

FREE RESOURCE RELATED TO #2: End-of-Course Evaluation

2. Take some risks. If there's ever a time to try something new and daring, it's now. Think outside the box and get creative with your teaching methods. Take a chance on that lesson you wanted to try for the first time. Take risks and let the students help you reflect on the effectiveness of the lesson. Who knows, an experimental lesson may make its way into your repertoire for the regular season!

FREE RESOURCE RELATED TO #3: Quote of the Day Bell Ringer Digital Notebook

3. Stay positive, even though you’re exhausted. Remember, your students feed off your energy. Put on some Beyoncé, eat some chocolate, and enjoy the time you have left with your students!!!

Non-Digital Idea: I always stapled some blank papers together and had students write their favorite memory of the class in it. Always fun to look back on a remember the good times!

In summary, state testing is not going to win a popularity contest, but it still matters what you and your students have accomplished!

Maximize your time, be open to new ideas, and stay positive!!

Never stop learning,

Dr. Tyler Tarver

P.S. Speaking of trying new things…have you tried ChatGPT yet? Any students that improved their writing 100x in the last two months of school definitely did! I’m doing a 3-hour summer PD training on it virtually if you want to join, or better yet, your principal wants to give your whole building access to it!

[tylertarver]

📚 📚 2 Resources to help your Students the last few months of School!

WE IS CLOSEEEE!!!!

I know we’re in the stretch before Spring Break, leading into what I like to call Teacher No-Mans-Land (aka April). So I wanted to hit you with a couple of resources that may help!

Free Resources to Help Your Students in the Spring

Daily Gratitude Journal - The spring semester is UNDERRATEDLY HARD, and it’s easy to get tired of everything and everyone. This is a quick, daily check-in you can do on your students’ mental, plus have them think about something they’re thankful for daily. Make a copy, edit it, then make a copy for each student in Google Classroom.

How to Be Successful in School - This is a doc with a link to a 13-minute video, plus spots for them to reflect on their (a) academic goals, and then (b) their social connections that keep them motivated and accountable. It plays like help on remote learning, but honestly, it applies perfectly to in-person success (that’s what the research theory I used was based on). You can run this as a 20-minute mini-lesson if you want!! Make the copy, then assign it to every student individually in Google Classroom!

As always, I’ve got 50+ more free resources to help you out in your class here if you ever need them!!

Lastly, I want to remind you…

you got this.

Teaching is TOUGH.

But you’re TOUGHER!!

Your friend in education,

Dr. Tyler Tarver

P.S. Just a heads up…next week, Imma send an email pitch to you (to forward to your principal) on some of the virtual PD I’m offering this summer. Feel free to check them out beforehand if you want and reply to this email if you got any questions at all! Hopefully, we get to hang out and learn (and knock out your Summer PD together this summer!!

Seriously, thank you again for everything you’re doing. Literally impacting the future for the better!