How to Get Kids Excited About Writing

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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Speech-to-text, audio, personal drawings and pictures, and writing about things kids love are all part of helping kids get excited about writing. In today's show, we talk to 15-year educator Randi Ahrndt about encouraging kids to get excited about writing as we discuss interactive writing strategies and one of the best free tools for teaching writing. We also talk about an authentic project of having kids write a personal book and the various steps of making it happen. We'll explore how to leverage technology and interactive strategies to turn even the most reluctant students into enthusiastic writers. Discover how to encourage creativity and self-expression in your classroom for all grades.

Questions Answered in This Show:

• What are the best free writing apps for classrooms, including tools like Book Creator?
• How can teachers use interactive strategies to make writing more engaging?
• Why is sharing writing with an authentic audience crucial for student motivation?
• How can speech-to-text tools support struggling writers?
• What role does student choice play in creating excitement for writing projects?
• How do graphic organizers help students overcome writer's block?
• How can teachers balance the demands of teaching foundational skills with writing practice?

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Key Takeaways:

• Free Apps for Writing: Explore tools like Book Creator, Canva, and Google Docs to enable multimodal storytelling and provide accessibility options such as speech-to-text.
• Interactive Strategies: Foster excitement with activities like project pitches, peer feedback, and sharing stories with family or classmates.
• Practical Tips: Encourage frequent writing through journaling, passion projects, and low-pressure feedback to build confidence.
• Authentic Experiences: Showcase student work with tools like eBooks, digital displays, and class libraries to celebrate their creativity.

Sponsor: Book Creator

Book Creator is my favorite tool for teaching writing and promoting student creativity! With its user-friendly platform, students can create vibrant eBooks featuring text, images, audio, and even video.

Get 3 months FREE of Book Creator Premium with the code COOLCATTEACHER!

Connect directly to Canva, personalize books, and ignite a love for writing in your classroom.

Learn more about how Book Creator can improve literacy in your classroom!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. While I was compensated by Book Creator, all opinions expressed here are my own. I only share tools I personally use and believe will benefit my audience.

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Randi Ahrndt – Bio As Submitted

Randi is a dedicated educator with over 15 years of experience, having served as both an administrator and literacy coach. As a wife and mother of three boys, she is deeply passionate about ensuring equitable access to education for all learners, especially those from underprivileged communities. Randi believes in fostering inclusive environments that empower every student to succeed and embrace lifelong learning. She currently serves as the Director of Product & Learning at Book Creator, where she spreads joy to educators every day!

X: @BookCreatorApp

BlueSky: @BookCreator.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookCreator/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randi-ahrndt/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bookcreatorapp

Disclosure of Material Connection

This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The post How to Get Kids Excited About Writing appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

from Cool Cat Teacher Blog
https://www.coolcatteacher.com/teach-writing-free-app-bookcreator/

Practical Tips on How to Teach Reading from Jennifer Serravallo

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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Sometimes, teachers can struggle to “fit it all in” when it comes to reading. With all of the news on reading, how do we teach reading? What a relief it is to hear reading instructional leaders like Jennifer Serravallo talk about the artistry of teaching, how to overcome the challenges of teaching reading, and teacher autonomy and responsiveness. Jennifer also reflects on where the research is “fuzzy” in reading instruction needs more work and discusses where we go next (including the challenges of teaching children with changing attention spans). If you teach reading, Jennifer's show is a must-listen.

Episode Highlights About How to Teach Reading:

•  Effective Lesson Structures: Step-by-step plans for read-alouds, shared reading, phonics, and close reading.
• Art Meets Science: How structured lessons allow teachers to bring creativity and adaptability into their reading instruction.
• Emerging Research Areas: What’s next in reading comprehension, engagement, and the role of executive functioning in literacy?

Tune in to get inspired and equipped with tools to make reading instruction more engaging, manageable, and impactful. Perfect for teachers, administrators, and anyone passionate about literacy education.

Listen to the Podcast: Practical Tips on How to Teach Reading

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Jennifer Serravallo – Bio as Submitted

Jennifer Serravallo is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning educator, literacy consultant, frequent invited speaker at state and national conferences, and former member of the Parents Magazine editorial board. In 2023, she launched her podcast To the Classroom: Conversations with Researchers and Educators.

Jen is best known for creating books and resources rooted in research that help make responsive, strategic, differentiated literacy instruction possible for all teachers.

Her newest books are THE READING STRATEGIES BOOK 2.0 (2023), TEACHING WRITING IN SMALL GROUPS (March 2021), A TEACHER'S GUIDE TO READING CONFERENCES (2019), and UNDERSTANDING TEXTS AND READERS (2018). Her books and resources are used around the world: THE WRITING STRATEGIES BOOK (2017) and THE READING STRATEGIES BOOK (1st edition) (2015) have have been translated into French, Chinese, and Spanish. Her comprehension assessment and teaching resources, COMPLETE COMPREHENSION: FICTION and COMPLETE COMPREHENSION: NONFICTION, help teachers make sense of comprehension, especially in whole chapter books and book-length nonfiction texts. They were released in Spring 2019 and are available through Heinemann (Learn more: hein.pub/cc).

Jen holds a BA from Vassar College and an MA from Teachers College, where she has also taught graduate and undergraduate classes.

Follow Jen on Twitter (@jserravallo) and Instagram (@jenniferserravallo), learn more from her website/blog: www.jenniferserravallo.com, and join the Literacy Strategies Facebook Community.

Blog: www.jenniferserravallo.com

Twitter: @jserravallo

Facebook: Literacy Strategies Community

The post Practical Tips on How to Teach Reading from Jennifer Serravallo appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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https://www.coolcatteacher.com/practical-tips-on-how-to-teach-reading-from-jennifer-serravallo/

Assessments that Work: How to Create Assessments that Help Students Learn More

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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In this Cool Cat Teacher Talk episode, we will explore effective assessment strategies with Dr. Thomas Guskey, Becky Holden, Dr. Samuel Nix, Alan November, Mike Roberts, and Christie Thompson. We will talk about what makes an effective assessment and the importance of both formative and summative assessments. I'll share tools and how I use a custom GPT to give formative feedback for project-based learning. Experts and teachers will share tips for all grade levels as we focus on practical formative assessments.

Watch the Show

This show will air on WDJY 99.1FM in Atlanta at 4 pm on Wednesday, November 13, and premiere one week later on YouTube.

Full Interviews of the Guests Included in This Show

Vicki Davis, March 5, 2024, Episode 841, “A New Essential Formative Feedback Tool for Project Based Learning”

A New Essential Formative Feedback Tool for Project Based Learning

Dr. Thomas Guskey, June 9, 2020, Assessment and Grading in Distance Learning – how to get better, Episode 677

Assessment and Grading in Distance Learning – How to Get Better

Becky Holden, December 4, 2018, Episode 398, “Formative Assessment in Kindergarten”

Formative Assessment in Kindergarten

Dr. Samuel Nix, Recorded November 5, 2024, An excerpt from an upcoming 10 Minute Teacher Episode

Bio of Dr. Nix as submitted

Dr. Sam Nix has served as an Assistant Principal and Principal of both middle and high schools. While serving as a high school principal, Dr. Nix’s campus was named as a National Model School by the National Association of Black School Educators (NABSE) and was named as one of the Top 32 Urban School in America by the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST). His school was ranked in the Top 10 (comparable group) in the state of Texas for the four consecutive years that Dr. Nix was principal. Dr. Nix has served as the Chief of Schools supervising 10 campuses including the fourth largest high school in Texas and he currently serves as the Chief Academic Officer in the Duncanville Independent School District. Dr. Nix has earned his Masters of Education in Educational Leadership, his Superintendent Certification and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M Commerce University. He has been awarded a Leadership-in-Education Award from the Texas House of Representatives; was presented the Mary McLeod Bethune Heritage Award for Education by the NAACP in 2010, the Dr. June James NAACP Education Award in 2016 and the Leadership Legacy Award from the Future Schools Network in 2019. Dr. Nix is the award-winning author of 6 Steps to a Strong School Culture, a book that offers innovative and common-sense strategies for leading a school culture where teachers and students thrive. Blog: www.snix3consulting.com

Alan November, June 1, 2017, Episode 89, “Alan November Shares a Mindblowing New Idea in Assessment”

Alan November Shares A Mind Blowing New Idea in Assessment

Mike Roberts, May 6, 2020, Episode 250, “5 Formative Assessment Strategies to Help with Classroom Management”

5 Formative Assessment Strategies to Help with Classroom Management

Christie Thompson, February 19, 2020, Episode 628, “How to Know You Make a Difference #LoveTeaching”

https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-know-you-make-a-difference-loveteaching/

How to Know You Make a Difference #LoveTeaching

Thank you For Listening

Thank you for joining us on Cool Cat Teacher Talk! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss out on any upcoming insights for educators and leaders. For quick tips and inspiring conversations, check out the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast on your favorite podcast app. And don't forget – you can also catch us on select radio and TV stations! Wherever you tune in, let’s keep learning, growing, and inspiring together. See you next time!

Vicki Davis, classroom teacher and host

Past shows of the 10 Minute teacher were chosen for popularity based on downloads of the show related to this topic.

The post Assessments that Work: How to Create Assessments that Help Students Learn More appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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https://www.coolcatteacher.com/talkassessment/

Resilience: Helping Kids Heal After Natural Disasters

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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Welcome to Cool Cat Teacher Talk Episode 6, where we dive into the essential role of teachers, parents, and communities in helping children heal from trauma. This episode focuses on supporting children impacted by recent natural disasters and life’s storms, with insights from leading educators, child psychologists, and leaders who know firsthand the challenges and power of resilience.

Many of us will have students transfer to our schools impacted by Hurricane Helene and the other many storms of this year. But whether you listen to this in 2024 or any other time, this episode is designed to help us be able to help the most vulnerable among us: our children, as we work through these issues and the times.

We learn from a research about advice on returning to school after a natural disaster and other advice from child psychologists.

As you watch, remember that every small act of kindness and support can make a difference in a child's life. Whether it’s a smile, a listening ear, or a classroom community built on understanding, these moments shape healing. I hope this episode offers both practical strategies and heartfelt encouragement as we support our children.

Additionally, I include information on the things we need to teach children to prepare for a storm that I recorded after Hurricane Michael when we were without power and all of the things I needed to teach children were on my mind. If you want the TV/YouTube version of this, you'll see the pictures and videos I shot in that season to help develop empathy for what is experienced in storms of this magnitude. If you haven't experienced a storm but want to help others know how to prepare, this is something you can do by listening to this episode.

In all things, I want this to be helpful. Teaching is a difference making profession from which all other professions are born. Let's use our time with children well as teachers, coaches, parents – we are all teachers.

Watch This Episode

In today’s episode, we explore:

• Leadership can be lonely (but we have to lead anyway)
• The technology you need in a crisis (from Episode 377, recorded after Hurricane Michael)
• Dr. Steven Berkowitz’s research on trauma recovery for kids (Episode 144)
• Dr. Briana Kurtz’s findings on returning to school after natural disasters like Hurricane Maria (Episode 701)
• How to foster empathy and empowerment in children during hard times, with insights from Joe Mazza (Episode 196)

Excerpts from the Full episode of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast:

Dr. Steven Berkowitz September 6, 2017 Special Episode “Helping Kids Recover from the Trauma of a Storm” https://www.coolcatteacher.com/trauma /

Dr. Michael Catt March 8, 2018 Not on My Watch “When the Leader Has to Stand Alone” Used with permission from Terri Catt and Sherwood Church https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl0eXl0XMLM&t

Vicki Davis October 15, 2018 Episode 377 “We were hit by Hurricane Michael: What You Need to Know About Tech When You Have No Technology” https://www.coolcatteacher.com/hit-hurricane-michael-need-know-tech-no-technology/

Dr. Brianna Kurtz September 20, 2020 Episode 701 “Research on Returning to School After Natural Disasters with Dr. Brianna Kurtz” https://www.coolcatteacher.com/research-on-returning-to-school-after-natural-disasters-with-dr-brianna-kurtz/

Joe Mazza November 27, 2017 Episode 196 How Parents and Teachers Can Teach Empathy and Empowerment in the Aftermath of Tragedy https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e196/

Related Topics:

• We were hit by Hurricane Michael: What You Need to Know About Tech When You Have No Technology(Opens in a new browser tab)
• How to Help Children Recover from the Trauma of a Storm(Opens in a new browser tab)
• No Storm, No Strength(Opens in a new browser tab)
• How Mainstreet Media Steps Up When Mainstream Media Lets Us Down(Opens in a new browser tab)
• No Storm, No Strength(Opens in a new browser tab)

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from Cool Cat Teacher Blog
https://www.coolcatteacher.com/talkstorm/

The Best Advice on Teacher Self Care

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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I've had several people lately say “just breathe” and others say “take care of yourself.” But how? How do we take care of ourselves when things are so busy? How do we make the time? I typically listen to teachers but often the well-meaning advice of others falls short. So, in this episode of Cool Cat Teacher Talk I've put together excerpts from the most popular episodes of the 10 Minute Teacher relating to how to take care of ourselves. These “best of” excerpts are designed to inspire and encourage you.

Principal Lana Penley shares how self-care became a vital part of recovery for her school in Oregon, where resilience grew out of necessity after a devastating fire that burned the school down. Michelle Blanchet, co-author of Startup Teacher Playbook, offers insights on how understanding our frustrations is the first step to meaningful self-care. Meanwhile, Stephanie Dorsey brings us practical, sustainable self-care habits from her journey through teaching during difficult times. Tinashe Blanchet also joins, shedding light on overcoming procrastination—a challenge we all face in and out of the classroom. Finally, Sarah Parker Wolf, author of Daily Intentions for the Classroom Teacher, reminds us of the power of intentional self-care in managing the daily stresses of teaching.

Listen to Episode 5 of Cool Cat Teacher Talk: “Talking About Self Care”

With Interviews excerpted from (check the links for bios)

Tinashe Blanchet, April 15, 2024, Episode 853 “Practical Ways to Overcome Procrastination”

Michelle Blanchet, September 27, 2021, Episode 764 “Are You An Upset Teacher? How to Understand What is Wrong.”

Stephanie Dorsey, June 26, 2022, Episode 786, “6 Sustainable Self-Care Tips for Teachers”

Lana Penley, October 1, 2024, Episode 865, “How to Help Students and Schools Through Traumatic Times”

Sarah Parker Wolf, May 17, 2021, Episode 741, “How Teachers Can Be Intentional About Self Care”

Where to Watch this Show

Cool Cat Teacher Podcast will launch on November 29

• YouTube!
• WDJY 99.1FM in Atlanta on Wednesdays at 4pm
• Denver Open Media 92.9FM/89.3HD3 –
• Fairfax Public Access – Channel 36 https://fcac.org/schedule?channel=36
• PAC8 Community Media – Channel 8 New Mexico https://pac8cmc.com/tv-schedule.html
• Pacific Coast TV – Channel 26/27 – San Francisco http://pacificcoast.tv/

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https://www.coolcatteacher.com/talkselfcare/

NASSP Principal of the Year: Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley the Principal of Fairfield High School in South Carolina was named the 2025 Principal of the Year for the United States by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Today we're going to talk to her about the culture transformation at her school that improved their graduation rate and built a school pride that is promoting excellence in everything they do. She also talks about school safety and how she has approached this sensitive topic. Listen to this inspiring principal and make your school a better place too.

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Bio As Submitted

Dr. Tracie Anderson Swilley has over a decade of success as the principal of Fairfield Central High School. She is a Transformational Leader who has positively shifted the lives of her faculty and staff and, ultimately, the educational system in Fairfield County Schools and beyond. As a transformational leader, Dr. Swilley understands the Law of Replication and has many assistant principals who were promoted to principal under her guidance.

Additionally, she has promoted teachers within her building to the role of assistant principal and has mentored principals throughout the state. She embodies leading by example to ensure that leaders beget leaders.

Dr. Swilley, most recently named the 2025 National Principal of the Year by NASSP, has received many accolades for her astounding leadership, including 2024 South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) Secondary Principal of the Year, Proclamations from Fairfield County & the Town of Winnsboro, the SCAAA 2A Principal of the Year in 2023, Unity in the Community School Administrator Award in 2023, Fairfield County Coroner Outstanding Service Award in 2021, and Believers and Achievers Award in 2015. 

She is committed to advancing educational and social outcomes for those around her and is a longtime member of several professional organizations such as NASSP, SCEA, SCASA, SCAAA and ASCD. She currently serves as SCAAA 2A President, SCASA Secondary Principal Executive Committee District 2 Representative, and is a member of the Midlands Regional Educational Center Advisory Board. She is also an active member of the Richland County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Dr. Swilley knows that everyone can achieve given the proper assistance and support and uses data to guide her faculty and staff in best practices to improve student outcomes. She upholds the Fairfield Central motto of Griffins Soaring for Greatness: Griffins Believe, Griffins Achieve, and Griffins Succeed. The mission that she carries out is modeling how to provide every student with quality teaching and learning experiences every day.

Twitter: @PrincipalTSwil

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https://www.coolcatteacher.com/nassp-principal-of-the-year-dr-tracie-anderson-swilley/

An Interesting Interview with My Principal: Meet Jonathan Dyal

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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This episode of The 10 Minute Teacher was a lot of fun. Not only did I get to interview my principal, Jonathan Dyal, but my film class, the “Sherwood Showstoppers,” filmed the interview. (I'm so proud of how much they are learning!) After a tweet I sent out in October 2023, George Couros and Allyson Apsey invited me to write a chapter about Jonathan in their book What Makes a Great Principal: The Five Pillars of Effective Leadership out this year. (You can listen to my earlier interview with George about what truly makes a great principal and the five pillars shared in the book.)

Principal Dyal shares his philosophy of walking the halls frequently to stay connected with teachers and students, emphasizing his proactive rather than reactive philosophy. We talked about his strategies to build trust with teachers and how he uses observations positively. (I like his philosophy of observations; that is what the tweet was about in the first place.)

He also discusses how he builds positive relationships with students in a way that improves student culture. This is a unique interview in that I see this firsthand and know the positive results it has when principals leave their offices, walk the halls, and spend time in classrooms. This approach is powerful, and it works!

Questions Answered in this Episode

• What is a positive approach to teacher observations that prioritizes frequent visits and low intimidation?
• How can a principal communicate expectations and provide feedback to teachers in a way that builds trust?
• What strategies can be used to help teachers feel comfortable with the presence of a principal in their classroom?
• How can a principal manage their time to ensure consistent classroom visitation despite administrative responsibilities?
• How can student relationship building have a positive impact on school culture?
• What advice does Jonathan have for other school leaders who struggle to find time for classroom visits?
• How can you balance visibility while ensuring that staff or students do not perceive your presence as punitive?

Listen to the Podcast

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About Jonathan Dyal (Bio as Submitted)

Mr. Dyal joined the Sherwood Christian Academy leadership team as Middle/High School Principal in July 2023. He has 12 years of teaching and administrative experience in education, where he strives to follow Titus 2:7: “In everything, set them an example by doing what is good” by living out his faith daily. Mr. Dyal earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northwest Missouri State University in 2018 and his educational specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Valdosta State University in December 2023.

How to Get the Transcript

The easiest way to get the transcript is to go in Apple Podcasts and press the show link and a download transcript option will appear. that is the best transcript. If you do not wish to do that, you can download a transcript I created with Adobe Premiere Pro and formatted with ChatGPT. (Unfortunately I have found that sometimes ChatGPT is leaving out a sentence or word here and there and so the Apple transcripts are more accurate, but after checking. This one is pretty good.)

866 Transcript Jonathan Dyal-FINALDownload

Disclosure of Material Connection: This episode includes some affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy I will be paid a commission on the affiliate program. However, this is at no additional cost to you.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” This company has no impact on the editorial content of the show.

The post An Interesting Interview with My Principal: Meet Jonathan Dyal appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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https://www.coolcatteacher.com/jonathan-dyal-proactive-leadership-in-education/