Excited for fresh, cost-free professional development opportunities? Look no further! Introducing Volume 4 of the Podcast PD Choice Board for Teachers!

Building on the success and feedback from previous volumes, we’re thrilled to offer this new edition as a tool to inspire and facilitate your journey through the world of podcasts for professional learning.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding, explore new strategies, or just find some inspiration, this choice board has something for every educator.

With the Shake Up Learning Show Podcast now boasting over two hundred episodes covering a wide array of educational topics, it’s the perfect time to launch Volume 4 of the Podcast PD Choice Board.

This latest choice board is designed to cater to a variety of interests and professional development needs, featuring an even broader selection of topics, including the latest in ai in education, google tools, and much more.

Whether you’re exploring these resources on your own, or you’re involved in providing professional development for others, this choice board is versatile enough to be adapted and utilized in many different contexts.

And for those who love customizing their PD tools, we’ve included a blank template, allowing you to tailor the choice board to fit your specific needs or those of your organization.

Explore, learn, and transform your professional practice with the Podcast PD Choice Board (Vol. 4)!

Did you miss our previous Podcast PD Choice Board releases?

• Volume 1
• Volume 2
• Volume 3

Podcast PD Choice Board Vol. 4 (FREE Template)

If you are new to choice boards (aka learning menus), be sure you get your FREE Guide to Digital Choice Boards and learn all about these wonderful tools for student choice and differentiation.

I love using choice boards in the classroom AND in professional learning experiences.

Below is the Podcast PD Choice Board Vol. 4 (made with Google Drawings) with many episodes from which to choose!

Click Here to Make a Copy | Use the Template

Don’t have Google? Download the PDF: Podcast PD Choice Board for Teachers (Vol. 4)

Podcast PD Choice Board Blank Template

If you’d like to create your own from scratch, I’ve created a blank template that you can use below.

Click Here to Make a Copy | Use the Template (best for mobile)

Want Credit for Listening to Podcasts?

We’ve got an exciting option for educators interested in receiving credit for their professional development hours through podcast listening! Join the ALL ACCESS PD Pass at Shake Up Learning. This exclusive pass offers a structured way to earn credit while you learn, making it perfect for teachers who want to document their PD efforts and apply them toward their professional growth.

The ALL ACCESS PD Pass provides a comprehensive and flexible learning experience, allowing you to choose from a wide range of topics and episodes that fit your interests and needs. By joining, you not only gain access to a wealth of knowledge but also the opportunity to earn recognition for your commitment to ongoing professional development.

Take your PD to the next level and ensure your learning is recognized. Join now and start earning credit for your podcast PD today!

With the ALL-ACCESS PD Pass, participants can access all of the Master Classes, Online Workshops, Podcast PD, and the Members-Only Library! (*excludes Google Certification Academies).

Includes:

• The AI-Powered Choice Boards Mini-Workshop
• The Google Classroom Master Class
• The Google Slides Master Class
• The Google Meet Master Class
• The Zoom Master Class
• The Dynamic Learning Workshop
• The Blended Learning with Google Workshop
• Includes access to ALL future master classes and workshops!
• Members-Only Library of ebooks and cheat sheets!
• Podcast PD (with credit certificates and new content each week!)
• More than 100 hours of PD credit (with more added soon)!
• More content added every year!
• LEARN MORE AND ENROLL!

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post Podcast PD Choice Board for Teachers Vol. 4 (FREE Download!) appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Get this awesome (and FREE) bundle of Choice Board goodies! Includes Kasey’s eBook, two video presentations, best practices checklist, Canva and Google templates, and tons of tips and resources!

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post The ULTIMATE Choice Board Bundle (FREE Download) appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

So it seems that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the only thing anyone is talking about nowadays.

The ways we can and will be able to use AI in the future are pretty much limitless.

But I have been curious about using it to create one of my favorite student-centered activities–choice boards.

If you watched my Chat GPT vs. Google’s Bard video, you saw a very brief attempt at what was possible with very little input–a bad prompt. (I did this on purpose to see what it would do with the smallest amount of information for comparison.)

But what happens with an engineered prompt? What if we could create something that is effective, engaging, and helps us reach our learning goals?

Enter AI-Powered Choice Boards!

To be clear, I am talking about using tools like Chat GPT and other tools to CREATE choice boards for the classroom.

That means that you don’t have to come up with nine different activities on your own to create a tic-tac-toe.

That means that you don’t have to create nine different rubrics.

Will you still need to tweak it? Absolutely!

Can you do it safely and securely? Yes, I believe so.

Let AI do the heavy lifting and save you time and frustration!

I love choice boards! And I have been sharing tips, tools, and templates for many years.

It’s time to take things to the next level. 

AI-Powered Choice Boards Mini Workshop

I’m developing a one-hour mini workshop called, “AI-Powered Choice Boards.”

Empower and engage your students with student choice and interactive choice boards. Choice boards can help teachers put students at the center of learning, differentiate, and teach valuable skills. In this mini workshop (1 hour), we will explore ways to use AI Tools like Chat GPT, Canva Magic Write, and more to create engaging choice boards aligned with your learning goals.

• Pre-recorded online workshop
• Self-paced
• 1-hour credit certificate
• Learn how to use your standards and learning goals to create POWERFUL choice boards for student-centered learning in the classroom.
• Learn the do’s and dont’s of using AI to protect your data and your students.
• Walk away with templates, AI prompts, and tons of tips and tools!

When is it?

• This workshop is in development as we speak!
• It will be released on August 4th.
• Pre-recorded and available on-demand (watch it whenever is convenient)
• 30-day access (longer if you have the ALL-ACCESS Pass)

Who is it for?

• Any educator who wants to learn how to use AI to create effective choice boards and save time while protecting their data.

How to PRE-ORDER and SAVE $$

• You can pre-order this workshop for ONLY $7!!!!
• The price will go up to $27 on August 4th.

 PRE-ORDER FOR $7

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post AI-Powered Choice Boards Mini Workshop appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In this episode and blog post, I’m sharing a checklist of best practices for creating an effective and engaging choice board for your classroom.

Let’s talk about avoiding pitfalls, grading confusion, and finding balance in time and rigor!

Get the Choice Board Best Practices and FREE Checklist Download!

And grab your FREE, downloadable checklist below.

Listen to this article.

This episode is sponsored by Everfi.

Everyone remembers THAT teacher. The study hall teacher who walked you through your first college application. The social studies teacher who taught you what taxes were AND how to file them. The math teacher who used student loans to show you how interest worked. YOU can be that teacher—and EVERFI wants to help you make that kind of impact with FREE digital lessons for K thru 12 students. From budgets and banking to credit and savings, you’ll find a financial literacy topic that’s right for your classroom. And especially during April, Financial Literacy Month, there’s no better time to equip students with smart decision-making around finances. Learn how you can share these FREE resources with students and give them a financial foundation that lasts a lifetime. Just go to everfi.com/shake. 

Choice Board Best Practices (and Checklist)

What is a Choice Board?

A choice board is a tool that teachers use to provide students with a range of activities or tasks from which they can choose. It can be used to differentiate instruction, provide students with learning options, or offer opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding in creative ways.

*Related: The Teacher’s Guide to Digital Choice Boards (FREE eBook)

Choice Board Best Practices

Over the years, I’ve learned a lot of lessons with choice boards. Many were learned the hard way, so I want to share with you the best practices for designing and implementing choice boards in the K12.

Learning Outcomes

Don’t get distracted by free (and paid) lessons online. If it doesn’t assess what you need it to assess, it is a waste of time. Design your choice board with the end in mind! Align each choice with one or more of your learning outcomes. If you download a template or lesson online, please be sure to revise and tweak this to fit the needs of your students and learning goals.

Activities

Selecting the activities for your choice board is more than just a brain dump of ideas. Take the time to upgrade your old activities that need a refresh before adding to a choice board. Offer a range of engaging activities, and meaningful, incorporate the 4 C’s, and are relevant to the learning objectives. (Use the Dynamic Learning Framework!)

Differentiate

Differentiation is not easy, but it is much more doable when students are offered a wide range of activities and learning paths. Choice board activities should also be differentiated to meet the diverse needs of the students in your classroom. Think about meeting different learning styles, interests, accommodations, and modifications for those that need it.

*Related: Creating Choice Boards with Book Creator

Instructions

Provide clear and concise instructions for each activity. Include the materials needed, the activity’s steps, and any available multimedia resources or supports. Remember, when you post assignment instructions online, it can save you time from answering questions over and over again. If you want some guidance, check out this post: How to Package Your Digital Assignments.

Assessment

Is this assessment OF (summative) or FOR (formative) learning? Determine how student learning will be assessed. Provide rubrics or checklists to guide assessment and provide feedback to students. Remember, the purpose of a rubric is to communicate expectations to the student. If rubrics make grading easier, all the better!

Balance Time & Rigor

Every teacher knows that the time required to complete a lesson or activity will vary greatly by students. If it’s a brand new activity, it’s a guessing game. Try to balance the amount of time required for each choice as much as possible. It will never be perfect, but you don’t want one student completing a ten-minute activity and another student completing a 50-minute activity. Also, try to strike a balance in the level of thinking and rigor needed, so students are challenged equally. Be patient with yourself. This takes time, and trial and error, just like any lesson in your classroom.

Deadlines & Milestones

Decision paralysis is legit! Your instructions should clearly state deadlines for completion, including a deadline for making your choice. Some students will take the entire class period deciding which option they want to complete on the choice board. Give them clear deadlines for making choices. Create milestone deadlines for projects that take multiple days or weeks.

*Related: Interactive Learning Menus (Choice Boards) with G Suite – FREE Templates

Reflection

Provide opportunities for students to reflect and think metacognitively about their learning. Reflection is an essential part of learning so think about how reflection will be embedded into your choice board.

Checklist for Creating an Effective and Engaging Choice Board

Fill out the form below to download the free checklist:

By following this checklist, teachers can create effective choice boards that promote student engagement and creativity.

What would you add to this list?

Choice Board Resources

Check out even more choice board resources on this page.

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post Choice Board Best Practices (and Checklist) – SULS0192 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

I’ve been learning how to use Book Creator…and LOVING it!

More specifically, I am experimenting with ways Book Creator can be used to create and implement choice boards in the classroom.

Book Creator is very intuitive and is loaded with student engagement tools.

And I have a brand new idea to share in this post: Weekly Choice Board Books! (Keep reading and watch the video below.)

This post is sponsored by Book Creator.

Creating Choice Boards with Book Creator

Y’all know I love choice boards.

Until now, I have kept things simple and used Google tools. But I am expanding my toolbox and exploring other tools that can offer more for teachers and students.

Book Creator is a content creation tool. Teachers and students can create a library of “books” filled with multimedia content.

So how can we use a book for choice boards?

Let me show you!

We can easily use a page in Book Creator to create a choice board and even use additional pages for templates or include details for the assignment choices.

But I wanted to try something new.

Weekly Choice Board Books

I wanted to create a Weekly Choice Board Book–a book with several choice boards we will use throughout the week.

First, I created my book using one of the comic templates. It already has sections divided, so it seemed perfect for a choice board!

Next, I created a cover using Canva. You can connect apps like Canva to Book Creator, and they already have book cover templates specifically for Book Creator. This was super easy!

Then I started adding pages and creating different types of choice boards.

Bell Ringer Choice Boards

Many teachers like to use bell ringers to get kids settled as class begins.

What if we give them a few choices for their bell ringer activity and reuse this choice board throughout the week?

It doesn’t have to be complicated; I created a bell ringer choice board with six choices. By the end of the week, students will complete all but one, but they can choose which one they want to do each day.

Pick 2 Choice Board

Next, I created what I call the Pick 2 Choice Board. You can easily create a pick 2, 3, 4, etc. The intention on this one is to select one choice from the top row (template-driven activities) and one from the bottom row (videos).

It’s really easy to embed videos in Book Creator, and students can watch them without leaving the app.

Thanks to Shake Up Learning Team member Sarah Kiefer for sharing her history choice board and letting me use her content for this one!

There are two other features that I wanted to try on this page, inserting a voice recording of the directions and linking text to outside resources. Both features are very easy to use and easily found in the menu when you click on the plus sign.

Using the voice recorder to read the directions aloud to students can help all students better understand the expectations and give the teacher extra “room” to elaborate.

Tic-Tac-Toe Choice Board

Last but not least, I had to test out my favorite choice board style, the tic-tac-toe. Since there wasn’t a comic template with nine squares, I just used the shape tool to build it.

The novel study tic-tac-toe is a choice board I created many years ago, and I just copied and pasted the content over from Google Docs (a Book Creator makeover).

Students Creating with Book Creator

Now that you have seen how the teacher can use Book Creator to create, I want to show you the power of having students create with it.

My last page demonstrates different types of student choice activities you could use in Book Creator.

Here’s a quick list of some of the features you can try with students:

• voice response
• embed code: embed videos or any other content with embed code
• use paper backgrounds like graph paper
• draw and auto-draw (AI tool that predicts what you are trying to draw)
• comic strip
• import files from a computer or Google Drive
• text response (Voice typing option is great for all learners.)
• webcam response: take a still photo or video
• create and import from Canva
• image response (search from a copyright-friendly database)
• use comments, emojis, and more!

The possibilities are endless. I have only scratched the surface!

Be sure to watch the video below to see these ideas come to life.

Sign Up for Book Creator

Get started today with a free Book Creator account! You can upgrade later to access all the features.

Book Creator at TCEA 2023

Going to TCEA, be sure to visit the Book Creator booth and catch my presentation on Wednesday.

• 11:00-11:30: Empower & Engage Students with Book Creator Choice Boards with book signing and giveaway (Book Creator Booth #878)

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post Creating Choice Boards with Book Creator appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In this episode, I’m sharing my brand new framework for designing meaningful choice boards for the K-12 classroom.

I will walk you step-by-step through the process to ensure it aligns with your standards and learning outcomes, how to select the choice board style, and share important tips along the way.

Choice boards are a game changer!

Learn how you can implement this strategy, differentiate for your students, and empower them with voice and choice!

Listen to this article.

6 Steps to Creating Custom Choice Boards

This 6 step process is something that has been brewing in my mind over the last several years, and it is definitely still a work in progress. But I wanted to share it with you to help more teachers learn how to create their own custom choice boards.

Choice boards can be intimidating to create from scratch, but they can be so powerful for the classroom.

I also created this handy infographic with the six steps. You can download the PDF here.

I couldn’t fit every detail in the graphic, so be sure to get all the details below.

What is a Choice Board?

IT’S ALL ABOUT CHOICE!

Choice boards (aka learning menus) are a form of differentiated learning that give students a menu or choice of learning activities.

• Choice boards can be created in a variety of styles and mediums.
• They’ve been around for a long time and originated in a static, paper format.
• With digital tools, we can bring the menus to life with interactivity and creation.
• Choice boards are mostly asynchronous! (Learn more about asynchronous learning here.)
• Every student doesn’t have to do the exact same thing at the exact same time!
• Choice boards offer a flexible learning path and help us differentiate.
• Use in ANY grade level or subject area!
• And, they give students voice and choice in their learning!

“…at its core, differentiated instruction means addressing ways in which students vary as learners.”– Carol Ann Tomlinson

Related: The Teacher’s Guide to Choice Boards

Step 1: Purpose & Delivery

When you are designing a choice board, you should ask yourself:

• What is the purpose of your choice board?
  • Build background knowledge/access prior knowledge
  • Check for understanding/formative assessment
  • Summative assessment
  • Enrichment
  • Other
• Where will this be completed?
  • In class
  • At stations
  • In class and homework
  • Homework
  • Online
• Will these activities be completed independently or collaboratively?
• How much time should this take?
  • In-class time?
  • Outside of class time?
  • 20/30/45/60 minutes
  • 1 Day
  • 1 Week
  • 6 or 9 Weeks
  •  Semester-long

Step 2: Determine Assessment Evidence

Begin with the end in mind!

Back in episode 10, I did some on-air coaching with Carly Black. Through the coaching process, Carly determined that the choice board she used with her students didn’t assess what she needed to assess.

You always want to ensure that you know the purpose of your choice board and how students can demonstrate mastery.

• Start with your standards and learning outcomes–what do students need to learn and be able to do?
• How will you know when they get it?
• What activities will demonstrate mastery?

Recommended: Use a rubric aligned with the learning outcomes.

• Rubrics can aid with grading, but the purpose is for the student to understand how they will be assessed, not for the teacher to simplify grading (that’s a bonus!)

Try writing this out in a table:

Step 3: Select Activities

After you have brainstormed activities that align with your learning outcomes, select the best ones for your choice board.

• Each activity should align with one or more of the learning outcomes. You can have several activities aligned with one outcome or separate activities for different outcomes.
• Will these be digital activities, hands-on, paper-based, or a combination?
• Determine how many activities you want students to complete. (If less than three, you may not need a choice board.)
• Some activities can be just consuming content–watching a video, reading an article, etc.
• Do these activities need further differentiation for skill level, learning style, depth of knowledge, or accommodations?

Continue to make revisions and adjustments to your activity list.

Related: Back to School with Choice Boards (FREE Templates)

Step 4: Must-Do Activities & Free Choice

I’m a fan of the must-do, non-negotiable activity. Usually, there is one thing you want ALL students to do–read this article, watch this video, etc.

This can also come in handy for beginners who don’t want to overwhelm with too many choices.

• You can add must-do activities to a choice board so that they must be completed alongside other choices. This could also include a teacher-led lesson, a mini-lesson with a small group, a station, or collaboration.
• Alternatively, you can choose to offer free choice where students propose their own activity. (advanced, not for beginners)

I always use the middle square in my Tic-Tac-Toe Choice Board as the must-do activity. They start there, and then that also gives me more control over how they make their two choices.

Learn more about my instructional design with Tic-Tac-Toe Choice Boards: Interactive Choice Boards with Google (FREE Templates)

Step 5: Select Choice Board Style

Choice boards can look like anything your little heart can imagine. The possibilities are limitless. However, there are some standard styles that can you can use when creating your custom choice board.

Now that you know how many activities you want in your board, select the style that fits best (or create a new one)!

Pick 2/Pick 3/Pick 4 etc.

This one can take many forms, a list, a table grid, or anything that shows students all their options. Then students are directed to select however many activities–pick 2, pick 3, pick 4, etc.

Simple List

Nothing fancy about this one. Remember, choice boards can be a list written on the board. Of course, this can also be a digital list posted somewhere online.

Related: Empower Your Students with The 4 Cs Learning Menu

Point-Based

Many of the lists can also be point-based. The idea is that students select their activities and add up the total points possible.

credit: Laurie Westphal

Tic-Tac-Toe (seen above)

The Tic-Tac-Toe choice board is my all-time fave! And I have shared several different templates for this one over the years. It’s easy. It’s flexible and can be well-balanced.

Related: FREE Interactive Tic-Tac-Toe Choice Board Template in Google Slides

Bingo Board

This is another grid format but with many more squares than tic-tac-toe. This style is great for short activities and experienced choice board students.

Bingo boards work well for early finishers and enrichment activities.

They can be too overwhelming for some students because they have so many choices.

(You don’t actually have to label and use it as BINGO, that’s just a general term I’m using.)

The template above is from Canva. You can access it here.

Restaurant Menu

This is a really fun option. Divide up your activities into the different categories of a menu–appetizers, entrees, sides, and dessert. (Tip: I like to make dessert my non-negotiable and it must be done last!)

I used a Canva menu template to mock up the menu below.

Themed

There are many different types of themes that can make a choice board exciting or engaging. One of my favorites is the Fortnite-themed menu from my friend Tommy Spall.

Grab a copy of Tommy’s Fortnite Menu here.

Game-Based Choice Board

I’ve seen a few choice boards that are designed like common games like baseball. Below is an example from Laurie Westphal.

credit: Laurie Westphal

Step 6: Design

Now it’s time to put your design skills to work! Put it all together using a template or design your own from scratch.

Try to balance the amount of time required to complete and the rigor for each student. (This will never be perfect.)

Static Choice Boards

Static choice boards are those that are typically read-only, can be printed, and do not include links or digital interactivity.

Interactive Choice Boards

Interactive choice boards are those that are digital and typically include links. Many, if not all, of the options, will use technology. You can also include ways for students to select their choices digitally on the board, leave comments, and link back to their products and evidence of learning.

Tools to Create

The tools available to create choice boards are pretty much endless. Use your favorites!

• Google Tools: Google Docs, Slides, Drawings, Sheets, Forms, MyMaps, Earth
• Canva for Education (free templates) 
• Book Creator
• Buncee
• Lumio

What are your favorite tools to create choice boards? Leave us a comment!

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post 6 Steps to Creating Custom Choice Boards – SULS0176 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Back to School is the PERFECT time to jump into choice boards!

In this episode, Kasey shares her best tips and ideas for creating and using digital choice boards in the K-12 classroom.

She also shares choice board examples and product ideas.

The first piece of advice when starting to use choice boards is to know that not all choice boards are equal.

You’ll learn some of the common misconceptions about creating choice boards, but most importantly, you’ll learn how to get started with utilizing the choice board for your classroom.

Listen to this article.

Back to School with Choice Boards

Why use choice boards?

Perhaps you’ve not heard them called choice boards, but learning menus. The name isn’t as important as the concept and how they are implemented. The greatest advantages to this teaching method are the way in which it adds not just choice, but variety, differentiation, and especially student voice. These are necessary teaching components that can be difficult to add and do well in any classroom. With a well-designed choice board, adding these components is inevitable. 

Carol Ann Tomlinson, a guru in differentiation, defines this component for us: “…at its core, differentiated instruction means addressing ways in which students vary as learners.” Everyone is different. A basic understanding we teach our children every year so they feel invited into our classroom community. We need them to know this upfront so that when we meet each of them where they are as learners they don’t see it as being treated differently, they see it all as learning. 

Choice boards are one way to meet kids where they are as learners, as well as, give them ownership in their learning. Consider the structure of a choice board and how it aligns with the Universal Design for Learning principles. A choice board will give students what UDL requires through multiple means of engagement, representation, and actions or expressions of their learning. Here are eight specific principles that will be offered to students in a choice board assignment: 

• Optimize individual choice and autonomy. 
• Vary demands and resources to optimize challenge. 
• Foster collaboration and community.
• Offer alternatives for auditory and visual information. 
• Vary the methods for response and navigation. 
• Optimize access to tools and assistive technology. 
• Use multimedia for communication and multiple tools for construction and composition. 
• Enhance capacity for monitoring progress.

That packs a powerful punch to student learning! 

What are choice boards? 

Choice boards, or learning menus, can look like several different replicas of real-life documents. They can be as creative as a restaurant menu or as simple as a BINGO board or Tic-tac-toe board. However it’s presented the basic concepts are the same. 

Start with the learning goal. In episode 10, we dove into this topic during a teacher coaching conversation. That teacher discovered it’s not just about taking a template and making it fit. Identify the learning goal first, then design the choice board to fit the needs of the content to learn, a product to create, or a learning process to follow. 

The choice board assignment can work for both building background knowledge or activating prior knowledge. For more details on how to design choice boards and grab some free templates, jump back to episode 8.

Ideas for Choice Boards

At the start of the school year, teachers begin to cultivate their relationships with students. We often do some form of a “get to know you” assignment. Using a choice board for this activity can be a great way to dip your toe into this teaching method. Allow students the opportunity to show off their creativity and skills with a choice in sharing themselves with you. 

Other simple options for starting out with this method include reviewing material, gathering background information, or final project options to demonstrate learning. As you become more comfortable with this teaching method, using a choice board to ask students to demonstrate their mastery of specific skills will take your teaching to the next level. 

Choice boards can be used to balance rigor and time. A choice board can be used to provide enrichment learning to early finishers. It’s not meant to be extra work, but extending the skill for students who are ready to move forward. This can allow for slower students to take more time with their mastery. Of course, it can be helpful to provide students with a time expectation so they are aware of the commitment and standard. 

If asynchronous learning is part of your school year, the choice board can be a solution. Digital choice boards allow for teachers to add links containing video or audio messages. These can help when a number of students are asking the same questions outside of a group setting. 

Grading

A student’s grade should always be calculated based on the learning outcome and Depth of Knowledge used to complete the task. This means it’s not effective to count how many graphics were used in a presentation and equate that to a point value. It’s also not effective to ask students to complete a number of tasks to reach a specific grade. 

Instead, grades should be evaluated based on the content. This will allow teachers to use one rubric when students will be producing multiple products. A digital choice board allows teachers to provide extra guidelines within each choice without giving them a formula for how to put it all together. 

Choice Board Examples

For the youngest or even struggling students, utilizing video or audio clips rather than text descriptions. Another great way to engage younger students is through a coded system with colors, shapes, animals, or any theme that may connect with the lesson. 

Younger students will need more teacher direction so consider introducing it through whole class choices. Utilizing stations can also be a great solution or practice. 

Several of our Shake Up Learning trainers have shared or collected examples and templates of choice boards that can help you get started or give you a new idea. 

Examples from Kim Mattina

Kim Mattina curated a digital book in Book Creator with several templates to choose from. These can be used for student assignments or teacher professional development. 

Examples from Jen Giffen

Jen Giffen also chimed in with some unique examples to take a look at. She also provided a few notes. 

• Become a GSuite Wizard – It is outdated in terms of content but provides a look at how big Choice boards can be
• Conference Learning – I use this when I do sessions on Hyperdocs.  I encourage people to curate their conference learning in one place and share back at school with colleagues.
• Types of Storytelling – pretty traditional one.
• Fav. Chrome Extensions
• All About Authentic Student-Directed Learning 
• Tech Tools for the English/ELA Classroom

Examples from Sarah McKinney

Sarah McKinney shares a list of teacher PD choice board examples. 

• Summer VACAY Bingo (Anderson One Instructional Technology Team)
• Tech 4- Chromebook Edition (Nicole Alford), iPad Edition (Sarah McKinney)
• Tech Speed Dating (Sarah McKinney)
• Elementary Digital Playground: Tic-Tac-Toe (Sarah McKinney)
• Digital Playground: 6-8 Tech Stations (Kristen Gunter)

Examples from Pam Hubler and Sarah Kiefer

Pam Hubler and Paula, from SlidesMania, share their inspired collaboration in this Twitter post. Pam also shares in a blog post how she has used choice boards to help teachers learn technology. She also shares a choose your own adventure board in this blog post. 

The other day @specialtechie shared a post with an awesome coaching choice board she created, I loved the pop-up concept it had!
It inspired me to make this template for choice boards or even for virtual scavenger hunts!#GoogleSlides or #PowerPointhttps://t.co/X88SeigeAQ pic.twitter.com/l4c61TvNup

— SlidesMania (@SlidesManiaSM) May 22, 2020

If you’re still in need of more ideas or examples then Sarah Keifer’s Wakelet collection is bound to provide a great option. Of course, you can always visit the Shake Up Learning Pinterest board for even more.

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post Back to School with Choice Boards (FREE Templates) – SULS0121 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Looking for some great (and FREE) teacher PD? Look no further! I’ve got another Podcast PD Choice Board for Teachers!

My hope is that this template will give you even more ideas for how to use podcasts for professional learning at your school or on your own.

We’ve been creating Podcast PD Choice Boards for teachers to explore and learn.

Get the Podcast PD Choice Board (Vol. 1) here.

Get the Podcast PD Choice Board (Vol. 2) here.

Now that there are more than 100 episodes of the Shake Up Learning Show Podcast, I thought it was time to put together another Podcast PD Choice Board.

This choice board offers teachers many different topics from which to choose, including lots of Google topics!

Use this on your own, or if you deliver professional development to educators, feel free to adapt this for your school or organization.

I’ve also included a blank template if you want to create something from scratch.

Podcast PD Choice Board Vol. 3 (FREE Template)

If you are new to choice boards (aka learning menus), be sure you get your FREE Guide to Digital Choice Boards and learn all about these wonderful tools for student choice and differentiation.

I love using choice boards in the classroom AND in professional learning experiences.

Hooray for Podcast PD Choice Boards!

Below is the Podcast PD Choice Board Vol. 3 (made with Google Drawings) with many episodes from which to choose!

Click Here to Make a Copy | Use the Template (best for mobile)

Don’t have Google? Download the PDF.

Podcast PD Choice Board Blank Template

If you’d like to create your own from scratch, I’ve created a blank template that you can use below.

Click Here to Make a Copy | Use the Template (best for mobile)

Looking for some educational podcast recommendations? Check out my list here.

How About PD Credit for Listening to Podcasts?

Enroll in our ALL-ACCESS Pass and you can get a printable certificate for listening to the Shake Up Learning Show (and some other AWESOME PD)!

With the ALL-ACCESS Pass, participants can access all of the Master Classes, Online Workshops, Podcast PD, and the Members-Only Library! (*excludes Google Certification Academies).

Includes:

• The Google Classroom Master Class (valued at $99/year)
• The Google Slides Master Class (valued at $99/year)
• The Google Meet Master Class (valued at $79/year)
• The Zoom Master Class (valued at $79/year)
• The Dynamic Learning Workshop (valued at $99/year)
• The Blended Learning with Google Workshop (valued at $99/year)
• Includes access to ALL future master classes and workshops!
• Members-Only Library of ebooks and cheat sheets!
• Podcast PD (with credit certificates and new content each week!)
• More than 50 hours of PD credit (with more added soon)!
• Even more exclusive content coming in the 2021-2022 school year!

Total Value is more than $600 per year!

LEARN MORE AND ENROLL!

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post Podcast PD Choice Board for Teachers Vol. 3 (FREE Download!) appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Y’all know I love choice boards (aka learning menus), and especially Tic-Tac-Toe boards! As more and more teachers are relying on the flexibility of choice boards during remote learning, I thought I’d create a template that would give teachers a bit more space to explain the tic-tac-toe choices. So today, I’m giving you the FREE Interactive Tic-Tac-Toe Choice Board for Google Slides!

Choice boards a great way to give students ownership of their learning and differentiate; AND they are great for giving students flexibility during home learning.

The Tic-Tac-Toe is great for a lot of reasons, but I struggle, like many other teachers, to fit everything I want in the little square of the tic-tac-toe choice board.

What’s great about Google Slides, which I often refer to as the Swiss Army Knife of G Suite, is the ability to add a link to another slide (internal linking). Learn more about this feature in 25 Things You Didn’t Know Google Slides Could Do!

So we can create additional slides that are linked to each “square” and contain more specific instructions, which is especially needed during this time of home learning.

FREE Interactive Tic-Tac-Toe Choice Board for Google Slides

The FREE Interactive Tic-Tac-Toe Choice Board for Google Slides template is embedded below so you can take a gander.

I used the same lesson design that I have shared in my book, in the Teacher’s Guide to Digital Choice Boards, and in Interactive Choice Boards with G Suite, where I shared a similar template for Google Docs.

This template is blank so you can customize for your students, and fill it with fun and flexible activities!

Don’t miss this guest post and podcast episode with Laura Steinbrink on Home Learning with Choice Boards.

CLICK HERE to Make a Copy | CLICK HERE to Use the Template

On the second slide, you will find the Teacher’s Guide to help you customize this template for your students.

Teachers Guide to Tic-Tac-Toe Choice Board for Google Slides

• CLICK HERE to Make a Copy to save a copy of this template to your drive. (Here’s a video if you need more help. Also embedded below.)
• If the directions are lengthy or you need to include other information like a rubric that won’t fit in the square, use the directions slide to add additional info for your students. It’s already linked for you!
• Remember, you can assign this in Google Classroom so that students can view the file if you don’t want students to be able to edit this file. If you want students to add links, a reflection, or other information, choose to “make a copy” for each student.

How to Use Google Templates and Assign in Google Classroom

Related Posts:

• Home Learning with Choice Boards
• 4 C’s Digital Learning Menu
• The Teacher’s Guide to Digital Choice Boards
• Interactive Choice Boards with G Suite

Join the Google SLIDES Master Class Online Course

I frequently refer to Google Slides as the Swiss Army Knife of the G Suite tools because it is capable of being so much more than a presentation tool. In this course, you will learn how to use Slides in new and unexpected ways in your classroom that will engage your students and make learning more dynamic!
K-12 teachers are going to LOVE THIS COURSE!

This class is perfect for beginner to intermediate users to take their skills to the next level and become a Google Slides Master!

(Prerequisite: basic knowledge of slides, how to access and create new slides.)

Click here to learn more and to ENROLL TODAY!

Learn All About the Course

What’s Included?

• Self-paced
• Video-based lessons
• 3 BONUS Lessons!!!
  • Bonus 1: Stop-Motion Animation
  • Bonus 2: How to Create Magnetic Poetry with Slides and Drawings
  • Bonus 3: 50 Google Slides Lesson and Project Ideas
• Supporting Resources
• Best Practices and Tips
• 6 hours of professional learning credit
• Pay with a school purchase order
• Bulk license discounts
• Get your whole team, campus, or district on board

Click here to learn more and to ENROLL TODAY!

Check out all of my Google Slides Resources here!

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post FREE Interactive Tic-Tac-Toe Choice Board for Google Slides appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

When you find a free or paid template that is in Google Docs, Google Slides, Google Sheets, or Google Drawings, do you know how to save that to your Google Drive and assign it in Google Classroom? This video will show you how to use Google templates and assign in Google Classroom.

There are free lesson plans, choice boards, and other activity templates floating all over the web. Many, are found right here on this blog!

But many users don’t know how to save the template to their Google Drive, or how to properly assign in Google Classroom.

My inbox is full of “request to edit access” emails EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

Here’s the catch. You DON’T need editing rights in order to use these templates, edit them to fit the needs of your students, and post as an assignment in Google Classroom.

You just need to click on File>Make a Copy, or click on the “Use Template” button.

Below is a video I created to show you the different types of variations you may see, how to save it, and how to assign it in Google Classroom.

How to Use Google Templates and Assign in Google Classroom

Here’s the blog post mentioned in this video, and where you can access all the templates: Interactive Choice Boards with G Suite.

Subscribe to Shake Up Learning on YouTube to get notified when new videos are released!

Learn more about Google Classroom and get the FREE Google Classroom Cheat Sheets for Teachers and Students (54 pages):

Ready to Learn More About Google Classroom?

Learn all about the new updates to Google Classroom and take your skills to the next level. This course will give you everything you need to get started using Google Classroom and best practices to help you make the most of this tool.

Perfect for beginner to intermediate skill levels! Consider this your video guide to Google Classroom!

Click here to learn more and to ENROLL TODAY!

More Google Classroom Resources

• 70+ Apps That Integrate with Google Classroom
• 10 Google Classroom Tips You Didn’t Know
• 6 Tips for Getting Started with Google Classroom
• How to Organize Assignments in Google Classroom
• 4 Ways to Give Meaningful Feedback with Google Classroom

Looking for other Google Classroom tips, ideas, and resources? Be sure to check out the Google Classroom Resource page for all the latest posts, podcasts, and resources.

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post How to Use Google Templates and Assign in Google Classroom appeared first on Shake Up Learning.