Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher

Learn from Michael McDowell about classroom engagement strategies for kids who have short attention spans. One of his suggestions, out of the quite a few, was intriguing to me. He said to put a green dot on different papers and have students figure out if the green dot was noting something great or something to be corrected. What an interesting idea.

Lots of awesome strategies for reading teachers to help children learn how to read from Malia…

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:35:34 -0400

Brain Friendly Reading Strategies That Actually Work

Lots of awesome strategies for reading teachers to help children learn how to read from Malia Hollowell.

On today’s podcast we learn about how to bring inquiry based learning into all grade levels…

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:16:50 -0400

Inquiry Based Learning Made Simple for K-8

On today’s podcast we learn about how to bring inquiry based learning into all grade levels #kindergarten #elementary and #middleschool with Terr Tarango. #inquirybasedlearning #classroomideas

Nancy McCabe shares six ways to engage your elementary students in writing. She also shares some…

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 13:55:14 -0500

6 Ideas for Teaching Writing Now With Nancy McCabe

Nancy McCabe shares six ways to engage your elementary students in writing. She also shares some common mistakes. She has some great ideas!

I just reviewed one of Time Magazines 2025 Inventions of the year, Clixo. It is an amazing STEAM toy…

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 11:59:08 -0500

Clixo: The Must Have STEAM Toy That Bends the Rules of Play

I just reviewed one of Time Magazines 2025 Inventions of the year, Clixo. It is an amazing STEAM toy that promotes screen free time and design thinking #sponsored by #Clixo

My friend Dawne Beck teaches ELA and Spanish 2 across the hall from me. Her classroom is full of…

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 11:31:57 -0500

How Speakable Solves the 5 Biggest Challenges Language Learning Teachers Face Daily

My friend Dawne Beck teaches ELA and Spanish 2 across the hall from me. Her classroom is full of laughter and learning and I love it. She tested this AI pronunciation tool for me and it was awesome! Here’s her #sponsored review of #Speakable and how she uses it to teach pronunciation.

I enjoyed talking to my friend Dawne Beck about how she uses #Speakable to teach Spanish…

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 11:22:53 -0500

How to Teach Spanish with Games, Fun, and AI

I enjoyed talking to my friend Dawne Beck about how she uses #Speakable to teach Spanish pronunciation and all of the other things she does to #TeachSpanish #sponsored

She teaches across the hall from me and we have so much fun!

Fun Grammar Strategies That Actually Work

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 18:51:02 -0400

Can grammar really be fun? Yes! In this episode, literacy coach and author Patty McGee shares fresh, playful ways to teach grammar that actually work—and won’t leave kids groaning.

If you’ve ever struggled to make grammar stick, you’ll love these shame-free, curiosity-fueled strategies that bring joy and purpose back into your language lessons. (And personally I also like that there can be alternatives to diagramming sentences.)

Solution Tree 💼 Sponsor Message:
This episode is sponsored by Solution Tree.
For over 25 years, Solution Tree has partnered with schools and districts to deliver research-driven professional development that helps teachers turn their passion into real progress for their students.
👉 See the results they’ve helped schools achieve at SolutionTree.com/10MinuteTeacher

Highlights Include

How to Break Grammar Shame: Why traditional approaches often fail—and what works better
Sentence-Based Strategies: From simple to complex, how sentence play builds understanding
Fun, Free, and Flexible Ideas: SPF-approved activities that require no fancy tools

🔗 Show page: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e892

Call to Action

📲 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
🎧 Don’t miss an episode of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast!

New 10 Minute Teacher Podcast episode

Fun Grammar Strategies That Actually Work

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 18:51:02 -0400

Can grammar really be fun? Yes! In this episode, literacy coach and author Patty McGee shares fresh, playful ways to teach grammar that actually work—and won’t leave kids groaning.

Solution Tree 💼 Sponsor Message:
This episode is sponsored by Solution Tree.
For over 25 years, Solution Tree has partnered with schools and districts to deliver research-driven professional development that helps teachers turn their passion into real progress for their students.
👉 See the results they’ve helped schools achieve at SolutionTree.com/10MinuteTeacher

Highlights Include

How to Break Grammar Shame: Why traditional approaches often fail—and what works better
Sentence-Based Strategies: From simple to complex, how sentence play builds understanding
Fun, Free, and Flexible Ideas: SPF-approved activities that require no fancy tools

🔗 Show page: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e892

Call to Action

📲 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
🎧 Don’t miss an episode of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast!

New Podcast Episode

Teaching Math in 2025: Dan Meyer on Tools, Trends, and True Engagement

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 05:03:32 -0400

How do we move beyond drill-and-kill and actually engage students in math? In this visionary episode, Dan Meyer shares how Desmos and Amplify are transforming math classrooms—and what every teacher needs to know for the future of math instruction.

Highlights from Dan Meyer include:

• Real-Time Math Engagement: How Desmos shifts math from static worksheets to dynamic experiences. How Amplify also works in this area.
• Embedded PD That Works: Why the best professional development happens inside the tools teachers already use.
• The Mindset Shift: Why great math teachers start with what students already know—not just what’s in the book.

🔗 Episode Page:

https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e901

💬 Call to Action:

📲 Tag a teacher friend who needs to hear this!

New Podcast Episode