Marvelous Mathematics for the Year 2025
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Every year introduces us to a special number worth celebrating, and with it comes the chance to dive into its fascinating mathematical properties and expressions. Let’s explore 2025’s captivating mathematical features and patterns. A Perfect Square 2025 = 45² The year 2025 is a perfect square, resulting from squaring 45. The last occurrence was in 1936, and the next one will be in 2116. If we increment the digits of 45 and square this, something interesting happens: (45+10+1)2=452+1000+100+10+1, that is if we increment all the digits of 2025 by 1 we obtain a new square number 3136=562 Sum of…
AI Tool: Brisk AI – A Powerful Tool for Educators and School Librarians
“We want people to learn and be comfortable with technologies that they might not have as much experience with, and to see the library as a safe place for that exploration,” Dr. Carla Hayden once said. This insight truly resonates now that I have discovered Brisk AI. In one seamless extension, I can integrate AI across my go-to websites, PDFs, Google Slides, and Docs—generating everything from quick assessments in Google Forms to interactive lessons drawn from YouTube. It is a genuine game-changer for my day-to-day tasks as a librarian and educator.
Which One Doesn’t Belong? A Math Activity for Every Learner
Which One Doesn’t Belong? (WODB) is a simple activity with big benefits. Whether you’re teaching kindergarteners or high schoolers, WODB creates opportunities for every student to engage, think critically, and share their ideas. With no single “correct” answer, this activity encourages creativity and conversation, making it a go-to for classrooms everywhere. What is WODB? wodb.ca At its core, WODB presents four objects—numbers, shapes, or images—and asks students to decide: Which one doesn’t belong? The twist? Every object could “not belong,” depending on the reasoning. For example, a set of numbers might include 4, 9, 12, and 16. One student might…
Play to Learn: Quick and Fun Games to Spark Learning
International Games Month is the perfect time to celebrate how games can transform learning into an engaging and meaningful experience. Whether you’re looking for a quick classroom activity or a fun family game night, these short, educational games deliver big on fun and skill-building. I recently brought these games to the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State Annual Conference, where they were placed around the room during the opening night cocktail hour. They were a HIT! Here’s a roundup of some fantastic options: 1. Tsuro In this beautiful tile-laying game, players guide their markers along paths, aiming…
AI Tool: SchoolAI a Solution for Student AI Use?
The conversation around AI and education is often filled with fear—fear that students will cheat, plagiarize, and misuse this powerful technology, leaving teachers overwhelmed and academic integrity compromised. But what if we’re approaching AI the wrong way? Instead of keeping it locked in metaphorical dark rooms, whispered about but not fully addressed, what if we brought it into the light? Imagine AI as more than a threat—what if it became a trusted partner in education? Tools like **SchoolAI** are already paving the way, offering safe, customizable, and transparent solutions for teaching and learning. With features like personalized chatbots, innovative tools…
Play, Learn, Connect: Bringing the Power of Games to Your Library or Classroom
Did you know that November is International Gaming Month? When I was in the district, I taught a gaming course and brought board games into study halls as a way to help students connect, unwind, and think critically—all while having fun. With students often experiencing too many study halls and a decline in homework, they’re left with time to fill and a need for real, meaningful engagement. Board games are a simple but powerful way to build connections, and they offer an alternative to screens that actually gets students talking, strategizing, and even laughing together. What’s great is that study…
Canva Updates: Droptober is HERE!
Canva just dropped a massive update, and trust us—you don’t want to miss this! From the new Dream Lab AI image generator to automatic page numbers (finally!), Canva’s latest features are designed to make your work easier, faster, and more impactful. Imagine creating stunning visuals in seconds, adding page numbers with a click, and designing accessible, on-brand video captions—all within Canva! Plus, the Teacher Work Kit is packed with templates and resources to take your lesson planning to the next level. 🌟 Ready to see how these tools can transform your classroom or library? Dive in and discover what’s new!
The Evolution of Mathematics: What is a Ten Frame?
Continuing our series on The Evolution of Mathematics, let’s dive deeper into understanding why the math we’ve always done—and the algorithms behind it—work the way they do. In our initial post, we explored the idea that while math itself hasn’t changed, our approach to teaching it has shifted to emphasize understanding why algorithms work, rather than just how to perform them. In this post, we’ll focus on some effective strategies teachers are using to help students grasp these concepts on a deeper, more conceptual level. Let’s start by exploring the foundational tool of the ten frame. What is a ten…
Making Magic in the Secondary School Library with Monthly Missions
Tired of seeing bored students during study hall? Looking for fresh ways to get them excited about visiting the library? In this post, I’ll share creative monthly challenges that I’ve used to transform my school library into a hub of activity and imagination. From turning a ghost into a famous book character in October to building epic summer reading stacks in June, these simple yet impactful ideas will inspire students to engage, create, and explore—all while keeping your library lively and fun. Curious? Dive in to discover how you can bring these exciting activities to your own library!
Flip, Flash, and Flourish: Flippity’s Formula for Fun-Filled Learning
Flippity has long been a favorite tool for educators looking to bring more interactivity and engagement into the classroom. With its latest updates, including multimedia flashcards, a vintage video game quiz, and a customizable board game creator, Flippity continues to offer flexible, fun ways to elevate learning. What makes Flippity truly stand out is its ease of use—no coding required. Teachers can simply copy and paste their content into pre-made Google Spreadsheet templates, allowing for quick and simple customization. From embedding YouTube videos and audio into flashcards to turning content into competitive quizzes, Flippity’s tools help chunk information into digestible,…