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Showing posts from January, 2025

Your 10-Point Checklist for Emergency Sub Plans (Templates Included)

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Introduction Going on an emergency absence is just as stressful for you as it is for the substitute teacher stepping in. Without a well-thought-out plan, your absence can leave gaps in instruction, disrupt the classroom flow, and create challenges for everyone involved. Foreseeing these situations and having effective emergency sub plans in place can save the day. It’s tough to plan for the unknown. Emergencies are, by nature, unpredictable. But while you can’t predict when or why you’ll need them, you can prepare a set of plans that work in any scenario. The key is creating something that’s flexible, and easy to execute. Here are a few essential ideas to help you prepare for the unpreparable: Have a consistent structure for every plan. This ensures substitutes know exactly where to look and how to follow through, no matter the subject or grade. Include detailed classroom routines and expectations. A clear outline of procedures makes it easier to maintain a sense of normalcy for you...

Easy 5-Step Instructional Planning Powered by AI: A Teacher’s Guide

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Introduction The ClassPoint team recently had the absolute pleasure of hosting a webinar packed with practical tips to overhaul old teaching methods into something more productive and efficient. With over 350 attendees, Tiya ( yours truly ) guided everyone through the ins and outs of tackling this challenge with AI-assisted instructional planning. AI has been the talk of the town for a while now. Some people swear by it, while others aren’t exactly convinced. But let’s be real, there’s no denying its effectiveness. Using AI doesn’t just make instructional planning faster. It makes it way smarter. And don’t get me wrong, teachers are brilliant at crafting lessons on their own, but who wouldn’t want an extra helping hand to lighten the load? What made the webinar really hit home for me were these ideas: Creating personalized AI content. AI can make teaching content feel personal, like it was built for your students and no one else. Instead of generic resources, you’re working with somet...

Immersive Learning on a Budget: 7 Best Practical AR/VR Hacks for Every Classroom

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Introduction Immersive learning is one of the newer trends reshaping education, but keeping up with these innovations can feel a little bit too much. The good news is, immersive learning isn’t as complicated or intimidating as some make it out to be. It only exists to change the way students experience lessons, making concepts more tangible and memorable, even in ways you might not realize you’re already capable of doing. In a typical classroom, you’re always dreaming up ideas to make learning interactive and engaging. But let’s be honest, how often do we think about making it immersive? Probably not every day, and that’s completely okay. In this blog, we’ll dissect that into manageable pieces of information so you can apply it into your classroom. Let’s unpack immersive learning at a glance to see how it can fit seamlessly into your teaching approach. Immersive learning brings concepts to life. It allows students to interact with lessons through augmented or virtual environments, cre...

6 Proven Feedback Strategies That Make Students Ask for Feedback Themselves

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Introduction What if your students started asking for feedback instead of avoiding it? For many teachers, student feedback can feel like a one-way street, with students passively receiving input rather than engaging with it. But when students actively seek feedback, the dynamic shifts. It becomes less about correction and more about collaboration. Feedback strategies that encourage students to ask for feedback themselves can transform your classroom in ways you would have never imagined. Think of a space where students are motivated to improve, communicate openly about their progress, and feel confident navigating challenges. Here’s what that kind of classroom could look like: Students proactively reflect on their work. Instead of waiting for teacher comments, they start identifying their strengths and areas for growth, paving the way for meaningful discussions. A collaborative atmosphere takes root. Peers exchange constructive feedback, turning every project into a shared learning e...