101 Practical Ways to Ditch That Textbook v3 0

Prévia do material em texto

PRACTICAL 
WAYS TO
A Guide
By Matt Miller (@jmattmiller)
3.0
Great teaching ideas. 
Ready for class now.
 If you’re like me, you’re CONSTANTLY on the 
look-out for a great new idea for teaching. The 
plug-and-play ideas are the best … something quick 
that you can apply to class tomorrow.
 If that’s music to your ears, you’re in the right 
place.
 Before you are more than 100 of the best ideas 
I’ve gathered in hundreds of blog posts in more than 
10 years. I focused on finding the ones that can be 
implemented into the classroom quickest … hence 
the “practical ways” title. 
 Each entry in this ebook includes a quick 
explanation of a textbook-ditching idea. Click
the blue link for further explanation and other 
ideas. 
 If you’re stumped or have questions about 
anything in this book, feel free to contact me at 
matt@DitchThatTextbook.com or on Twitter at 
@jmattmiller. If I don’t know the answer, I know 
lots of people who might!
Engaging, meaningful teaching is tough.
Here, you’ll find ideas you can implement right away, saving you time.
mailto:matt@DitchThatTextbook.com
https://twitter.com/jmattmiller
Create a Spotify playlist. Music 
says a LOT. The lyrics have a 
message. The song and album titles 
do, too. Use this template as a 
way for students to explain why 
certain songs make their list and 
their criteria for the list. 
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Put those social media skills to 
use! Let’s use an app that 
millions of students already have 
access to — Google Slides — to 
recreate the experience instead 
of using the app. 
Use the TikTok-inspired Google 
Slides template below to get 
your students creating!
Tweet for someone. What would 
happen if a character in a story 
you’re reading tweeted about an 
event in the story? Now, you can 
let students create those tweets 
with Google Slides.
“Post” an Instagram Story. 
Instagram Stories is a pretty 
popular feature, and it’s a great 
storytelling tool. Have students 
create their own Instagram story 
demonstrating a skill to teach 
others through video with Google 
Slides.
Create your own Amazon product. 
Amazon's product pages are how 
we gather information and evaluate 
products with images, descriptions, 
categories, and ratings. Students 
can describe and critique objects, 
people, places, and more that 
they're studying with product 
pages.
Create a social media APP-like 
experience with Google Slides
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/spotify-playlist-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/spotify-playlist-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/spotify-playlist-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/spotify-playlist-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/tiktok-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/tiktok-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/tiktok-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/tweet-for-someone-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/tweet-for-someone-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/tweet-for-someone-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/instagram-stories-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/instagram-stories-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/instagram-stories-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/instagram-stories-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/instagram-stories-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/amazon-product-page-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/amazon-product-page-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/amazon-product-page-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/amazon-product-page-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/amazon-product-page-template/
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Use social media-inspired 
hooks for class
Practice digital citizenship skills through social 
media. How would you reply to a social media post 
by your classmate? What about a post by a 
celebrity? How about your great-aunt? Replying 
appropriately on social media is a skill! Give your 
students practice doing just that!
9.
Use the instant communication 
hook. Adults and kids alike love 
text messaging -- and messaging 
tools like WhatsApp -- for instant 
connection. Create a Google 
document, use "anyone with link 
can edit" settings and 
collaborate in real time.
Communicate with the images 
hook! Instagram set itself apart by 
doubling down on images. 
Students can use images to 
explore content and demonstrate 
what they learn. Use "Insert > 
Image > Camera" in Google 
Slides, Drawings or Docs. Add 
text, shapes and more with a 
"Caption This!"-style activity.
Inspire writing with the 
evidence-backed review hook. 
Encourage students to write Yelp 
reviews to judge the quality of 
decisions made in history, artists' 
work, nutrition of meals, etc. 
Include star rating, description, 
pros and cons, images, etc. There's 
so much potential with this 
template to display creativity.
Try the Twitter thread hook. 
Threads are a string of tweets (one 
tweet, reply to that tweet, reply to 
that tweet, etc.). The Add and Pass 
Activity plays off the same idea -- a 
collection of short messages. 
Students add a message (like a 
tweet) and pass to the next person.
Social media is just one of the seven key ways to make 
learning with tech UNFORGETTABLE in Tech Like a Pirate! 
You'll get practical ideas, downloadable templates, 
step-by-step tutorials and more. Your students will be 
engaged and begging for more!
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/social-media-reply-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/social-media-reply-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/social-media-reply-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/social-hooks/#tab-con-7
https://ditchthattextbook.com/social-hooks/#tab-con-7
https://ditchthattextbook.com/social-hooks/#tab-con-7
https://ditchthattextbook.com/social-hooks/#tab-con-7
https://ditchthattextbook.com/captionthis
https://ditchthattextbook.com/captionthis
https://ditchthattextbook.com/captionthis
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/yelp-review-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/yelp-review-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/yelp-review-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/add-and-pass-a-fun-activity-to-get-them-moving-and-creating/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/add-and-pass-a-fun-activity-to-get-them-moving-and-creating/
http://tinyurl.com/techlapbook
Go tech free with Head Bands!! 
Head Bands with index cards is 
the perfect, tech-free, game show 
style option for vocabulary 
review.
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End the year with an Epic Review 
Olympics! The end of the school year is 
high time for review. Make your 
experience EPIC with the review to end 
all reviews!
Play the part! Bring the music and 
your best game show host voice to 
really get the class involved. 
Turn your classroom 
into a Game Show! 
Test your knowledge with a Who 
Wants to Be a Millionaire style game. 
Use this template based on the famous 
TV quiz show, give the correct answers, 
and win!
Play Jeopardy to review or preview content. Edit 
this one-round Jeopardy-style game with 20 
questions to make the game for your class. 
Alternative: Have you heard of JeopardyLabs? It's 
an online version of this where you don't even 
need Slides or PowerPoint. Free, too!
Bring Family Feud to class or 
professional development. Grab 
some data or gather some with a 
survey. Then turn it into a fun 
Family Feud experience. It’ll 
supercharge a class or a staff 
meeting!
https://twitter.com/craigklement/status/1187557321959989248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1187557321959989248%7Ctwgr%5E25976e98afdb279fe65b2ac31e41d62e62fad98c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fditchthattextbook.com%2Fgame-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize%2F
https://twitter.com/craigklement/status/1187557321959989248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1187557321959989248%7Ctwgr%5E25976e98afdb279fe65b2ac31e41d62e62fad98c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fditchthattextbook.com%2Fgame-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize%2Fhttps://twitter.com/craigklement/status/1187557321959989248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1187557321959989248%7Ctwgr%5E25976e98afdb279fe65b2ac31e41d62e62fad98c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fditchthattextbook.com%2Fgame-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize%2F
https://twitter.com/craigklement/status/1187557321959989248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1187557321959989248%7Ctwgr%5E25976e98afdb279fe65b2ac31e41d62e62fad98c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fditchthattextbook.com%2Fgame-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize%2F
https://ditchthattextbook.com/end-the-school-year-with-epic-review-olympics-free-templates
https://ditchthattextbook.com/end-the-school-year-with-epic-review-olympics-free-templates
https://ditchthattextbook.com/end-the-school-year-with-epic-review-olympics-free-templates
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/#tve-jump-1752279457c
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/#tve-jump-1752279457c
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/#tve-jump-1752279457c
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/jeopardy-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/jeopardy-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/jeopardy-template/
https://jeopardylabs.com/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/01/24/how-to-add-a-family-feud-style-game-to-your-next-classpd/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/01/24/how-to-add-a-family-feud-style-game-to-your-next-classpd/
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Pair Quizizz with the Fast and 
Curious EduProtocol. By using 
Quizizz in this way, you reduce (or 
eliminate) your need for 
worksheet-based homework. Play 
a quick Quizizz game and look at 
the results. Do a quick re-teach or 
mini-lesson about students’ 
struggles. Replay the game 
immediately. Repeat this on 
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. On 
Thursday, if students average a 90 
percent or higher, give everyone 
an A and move on.
Review with Quizizz. Quizizz 
takes the excitement of a 
gameshow-style review game and 
puts the whole experience in the 
students’ hands. 
Go beyond review with the 
Blind Kahoot! Use it as a way to 
teach. It’s a way of leading 
students down a path of curiosity, 
understanding and reinforcement 
to learn a new concept.
Let students create Kahoot! 
games for higher-order 
thinking. To write solid questions 
and answers, students must 
understand their content. Let 
them write Kahoot! review games 
as an assignment.
Avoid naughty nicknames in 
Kahoot! with the name 
generator. Let Kahoot! pick your 
students’ nicknames for 
them. Here are four other things 
you might not know about 
Kahoot !
Turn flashcards into fun with 
Quizlet Live. Quizlet Live runs 
from Quizlet flashcard sets. That 
means you don’t have to create 
anything new. Need to know how 
to set up and run a Quizlet Live 
game? How to start a Quizlet Live 
game in 60 seconds + tips and 
tricks
Try Quizlet Quarterback. This 
game further ensures that one 
dominant student doesn’t hijack 
the game. This is one of several 
Play Kahoot! Kahoot! is the 
granddaddy of the game show 
review games. In a standard 
Kahoot! game, questions are 
displayed to students on a 
projector or display. Students 
respond on their own devices.
Create BookSnaps of what 
you’re reading. In BookSnaps, 
students find a passage from a 
book they’re reading that 
resonates with them. They snap a 
picture of it and annotate on it, 
underlining and adding text 
reflections and including fun 
things like emojis and Bitmojis. 
Check out #booksnaps. 
alternative Quizlet 
Live games 
suggested by New 
York educator 
Patrick McMillan in 
this post.
https://ditchthattextbook.com/eliminate-worksheet-homework-with-the-fast-and-the-curious-eduprotocol/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/eliminate-worksheet-homework-with-the-fast-and-the-curious-eduprotocol/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/eliminate-worksheet-homework-with-the-fast-and-the-curious-eduprotocol/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/eliminate-worksheet-homework-with-the-fast-and-the-curious-eduprotocol/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/#tve-jump-17522785091
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/#tve-jump-17522785091
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/#tve-jump-17522785091
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/#tve-jump-17522785091
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/#tve-jump-17522785091
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/04/17/teach-with-kahoot-go-beyond-review-with-the-blind-kahoot/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/04/17/teach-with-kahoot-go-beyond-review-with-the-blind-kahoot/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/04/17/teach-with-kahoot-go-beyond-review-with-the-blind-kahoot/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/04/17/teach-with-kahoot-go-beyond-review-with-the-blind-kahoot/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2014/08/28/10-ways-to-electrify-class-with-kahoot/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2014/08/28/10-ways-to-electrify-class-with-kahoot/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2014/08/28/10-ways-to-electrify-class-with-kahoot/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/03/20/5-things-you-might-not-know-about-kahoot/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/03/20/5-things-you-might-not-know-about-kahoot/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/03/20/5-things-you-might-not-know-about-kahoot/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/how-to-start-a-quizlet-live-game-in-60-seconds-tips-and-tricks/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/how-to-start-a-quizlet-live-game-in-60-seconds-tips-and-tricks/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/how-to-start-a-quizlet-live-game-in-60-seconds-tips-and-tricks/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/04/26/6-new-ways-to-play-a-quizlet-live-game/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/#tve-jump-1752278136e
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/#tve-jump-1752278136e
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/#tve-jump-1752278136e
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/#tve-jump-1752278136e
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/#tve-jump-1752278136e
https://twitter.com/hashtag/booksnaps
https://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/04/26/6-new-ways-to-play-a-quizlet-live-game/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/04/26/6-new-ways-to-play-a-quizlet-live-game/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/04/26/6-new-ways-to-play-a-quizlet-live-game/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/04/26/6-new-ways-to-play-a-quizlet-live-game/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/04/26/6-new-ways-to-play-a-quizlet-live-game/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/04/26/6-new-ways-to-play-a-quizlet-live-game/
28.
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Take your students on an 
Animal Adventure. Try our zoo 
themed escape room for younger 
grades or use as an introduction 
to escape rooms. Made with 
Microsoft Sway.
Celebrate the holidays with a 
digital escape. The holidays are a 
perfect time to introduce escape 
rooms to your students. Our 
Digital Escape Rooms page has 
one for almost every holiday.
Learn how to create your own 
escape rooms. Grab some clue 
making ideas, check out puzzle 
making tools and get a planningguide to help you start building 
your own escape rooms.
Get 40+ more escape rooms. Our 
Wakelet collection is a curation of 
escape rooms created by educators 
around the world. Note: Most of 
these escape rooms do not have an 
answer key but that shouldn’t stop 
you from trying them out!
Engage students with 
digital escape rooms!
25.
Save the school! In 
this escape room the 
school has lost power 
and students must 
solve a series of 
puzzles to turn the 
lights back on. Try 
Mission School 
Blackout and see if 
they can escape in 
time.
26.
Save the 
school…again! If you 
have younger students 
or those new to escape 
rooms try Mission 
School Blackout Jr. An 
simpler version of our 
Mission School 
Blackout escape room.
27.
Visit the magical 
world of Harry Potter 
from your classroom. 
If you or your students 
are Harry Potter fans 
then they will love this 
Magical Escape virtual 
escape room. 
https://sway.office.com/hF4pNCcqjT0k2C35?ref=Link
https://sway.office.com/hF4pNCcqjT0k2C35?ref=Link
https://sway.office.com/hF4pNCcqjT0k2C35?ref=Link
https://sway.office.com/hF4pNCcqjT0k2C35?ref=Link
https://ditchthattextbook.com/digital-escape-rooms/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/30-digital-escape-rooms-plus-tips-and-tools-for-creating-your-own/#tve-jump-1756feef17b
https://ditchthattextbook.com/30-digital-escape-rooms-plus-tips-and-tools-for-creating-your-own/#tve-jump-1756feef17b
https://ditchthattextbook.com/30-digital-escape-rooms-plus-tips-and-tools-for-creating-your-own/#tve-jump-1756feef17b
https://ditchthattextbook.com/30-digital-escape-rooms-plus-tips-and-tools-for-creating-your-own/#tve-jump-1756feef17b
https://ditchthattextbook.com/30-digital-escape-rooms-plus-tips-and-tools-for-creating-your-own/#tve-jump-1756feef17b
https://ditchthattextbook.com/30-digital-escape-rooms-plus-tips-and-tools-for-creating-your-own/#tve-jump-1756fef331d
https://ditchthattextbook.com/30-digital-escape-rooms-plus-tips-and-tools-for-creating-your-own/#tve-jump-1756fef331d
https://ditchthattextbook.com/30-digital-escape-rooms-plus-tips-and-tools-for-creating-your-own/#tve-jump-1756fef331d
https://ditchthattextbook.com/30-digital-escape-rooms-plus-tips-and-tools-for-creating-your-own/#tve-jump-1756fef331d
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1I08dlIQ273ukWLKp-kdO1ZSwFm2i4cNiQCoxxpZ494Q/export/pdf
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1I08dlIQ273ukWLKp-kdO1ZSwFm2i4cNiQCoxxpZ494Q/export/pdf
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ioSlJjYgAsZlMrMfxzktl1-gpGx6aVQOlVLn4j4IInk/export/pdf
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ioSlJjYgAsZlMrMfxzktl1-gpGx6aVQOlVLn4j4IInk/export/pdf
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1MV3vSbw8Q_AKA5F4Ad9tGwDcPxweWY35IJTAB7TvJzk/export/pdf
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1MV3vSbw8Q_AKA5F4Ad9tGwDcPxweWY35IJTAB7TvJzk/export/pdf
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1MV3vSbw8Q_AKA5F4Ad9tGwDcPxweWY35IJTAB7TvJzk/export/pdf
Use Google Keep to keep 
organized. Use the mobile app to 
take notes while on the go or type 
them into Keep in your web 
browser. Add images, create 
labels to organize and even color 
code. 
Try AR in Google Search! On 
your Android phone, iPhone or 
iPad, go to google.com or open 
the Google app (it also works 
in Safari) Search for an animal, 
object, or place.If there is 3D 
result is available you'll see a 
3D icon, click on View in 3D.
Manage your Chrome 
extensions.. Have too many 
extension icons in the top right 
of Chrome? Only run and 
display the ones you want with 
Extensity. 
32.
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33.Create with Google Earth 
projects. In these projects, your 
students can stick pins to the 
globe, add rich media and 
detailed information, then present 
it step-by-step like a story.
Get organized with Google 
Tasks. Sync your to-do list across 
all of your devices and manage 
and edit your tasks from 
anywhere, at anytime. 
Use the grid view to see all of 
your slides at one time. This is a 
great option for those 
collaborative Google Slides 
presentations because you can 
see all of the slides in real time. 
Copy a link to highlight. If you 
want to send students or 
colleagues to a specific spot on a 
website in Chrome just highlight 
the text then right click to 
highlight link to text. This creates 
a link to that exact spot when it's 
clicked.
Use voice typing to save time. 
Docs will let you type with your 
voice. In a Google Doc, go to 
Tools > Voice typing … and click 
the microphone. It will dictate 
what you say. (This also works for 
typing speaker notes in Google 
Slides.)
Discover ’s Buried Treasure
https://ditchthattextbook.com/meet-google-keep-and-6-ways-it-can-help-schools/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/meet-google-keep-and-6-ways-it-can-help-schools/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/meet-google-keep-and-6-ways-it-can-help-schools/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/meet-google-keep-and-6-ways-it-can-help-schools/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/meet-google-keep-and-6-ways-it-can-help-schools/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/meet-google-keep-and-6-ways-it-can-help-schools/
https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/9817187?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=0#zippy=%2Cland-animals%2Cunderwater-wetland-animals
https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/9817187?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=0#zippy=%2Cland-animals%2Cunderwater-wetland-animals
https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/9817187?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=0#zippy=%2Cland-animals%2Cunderwater-wetland-animals
https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/9817187?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=0#zippy=%2Cland-animals%2Cunderwater-wetland-animals
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-chrome-extensions-galore-50-for-the-classroom/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-chrome-extensions-galore-50-for-the-classroom/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-chrome-extensions-galore-50-for-the-classroom/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-earth-creation-tools/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-earth-creation-tools/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-earth-creation-tools/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-earth-creation-tools/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-earth-creation-tools/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/googles-buried-treasure-18-hidden-tricks-and-tools/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/googles-buried-treasure-18-hidden-tricks-and-tools/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/googles-buried-treasure-18-hidden-tricks-and-tools/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/googles-buried-treasure-18-hidden-tricks-and-tools/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/04/23/student-collaboration-in-shared-google-slides/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-voice-typing-challenge-save-time-get-things-done
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-voice-typing-challenge-save-time-get-things-done
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-voice-typing-challenge-save-time-get-things-done
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-voice-typing-challenge-save-time-get-things-done
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-voice-typing-challenge-save-time-get-things-done
Create an emoji 
writing prompt in 
Google Sheets. 
There loads of fun 
ways you can use 
Google Sheets and 
tips to save you 
time too.
Make the most of the 
Chromebooks in your 
classroom. Learn some of my 
favorite tips for making the most 
of Chromebooks in the classroom 
— for students and for YOU!
Try an art inspired crossword 
puzzle Another one of Google's 
experiments, these crossword 
puzzles allow you to test your 
cultural knowledge or discover art 
through unexpected pairings. 
Play in a blob opera. A ridiculously 
fun machine learning experiment 
by David Li, the blob opera lets you 
create, record and share your own 
opera song. Absolutely no music 
experience required! 
40.
41.
42.
43.
45.
46.
47.
44.
Grab a ready-made lesson plan! 
Google Arts and Culture Project 
Learn has a ton, and we mean a 
TON, of awesome lesson plans 
and resources for the classroom. 
Check out lesson plans like 
Scientific Superpowers, History of 
Magic, Extreme Planet and more!
Create hidden sectionswith the 
pen tool in Google Jamboard. The 
pen and marker tools in Jamboard 
have a unique feature. They're 
always on top. Whether you draw 
on a sticky note, an image, or 
anything else, the pen and marker 
always stay on top.
Insert animated GIFs into 
Jamboard. Google Jamboard, the 
digital whiteboard app, lets 
students do collaborative, visual 
learning. Animated GIFs take it to 
the next level! 
Discover a virtual art gallery in 
your pocket. With the Google Arts 
and Culture app, you can explore 
some of the world's best art right 
from your own home or classroom. 
Pocket galleries use augmented 
reality to allow you to wander 
through a virtual art exhibit. 
https://ditchthattextbook.com/10-google-sheets-tricks-you-probably-dont-know-about/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/10-google-sheets-tricks-you-probably-dont-know-about/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/10-google-sheets-tricks-you-probably-dont-know-about/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/10-google-sheets-tricks-you-probably-dont-know-about/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/10-google-sheets-tricks-you-probably-dont-know-about/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/10-chromebook-features-you-probably-dont-know-about/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/10-chromebook-features-you-probably-dont-know-about/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/10-chromebook-features-you-probably-dont-know-about/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/10-chromebook-features-you-probably-dont-know-about/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-arts-and-culture/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-arts-and-culture/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-arts-and-culture/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-arts-and-culture/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-arts-and-culture/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-arts-and-culture/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-arts-and-culture/
https://artsandculture.google.com/project/education/lessonplans
https://artsandculture.google.com/project/education/lessonplans
https://storage.googleapis.com/lesson-plans/Scientific-Superpowers_Learn-Anywhere.pdf
https://storage.googleapis.com/lesson-plans/History_of_Magic-Learn-Anywhere.pdf
https://storage.googleapis.com/lesson-plans/History_of_Magic-Learn-Anywhere.pdf
https://storage.googleapis.com/lesson-plans/Extreme-Planet_Learn-Anywhere.pdf
https://ditchthattextbook.com/jamboard-features/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/jamboard-features/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/jamboard-features/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/jamboard-features/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/jamboard-gifs/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/jamboard-gifs/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-arts-and-culture/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-arts-and-culture/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-arts-and-culture/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-arts-and-culture/
Copy formatting with the paint 
roller. There it sits. The paint roller 
icon is on the far left of the toolbar in 
many G Suite tools. But what in the 
world is it for? This one has perplexed 
me for a long time. It’s for copying 
formatting and it’s a neat trick!
48.
51. 55.
Save images in a Google Doc. Have 
you ever opened a Google Doc with 
images in it and wanted to save the 
images? (Hint: Right-clicking the 
image doesn’t do it.) 
You can grab images 
out of a Google Doc. 
Learn how!
50.
52. Create immovable backgrounds 
in Google Slides. If you use 
templates in Google Slides, 
chances are someone will 
accidentally move something you 
put in place! Create immovable 
backgrounds instead for objects 
that need to stay in place!
53. Generate Live closed captions in 
Google Slides. Google Slides 
transcribes your speech live and 
displays it at the bottom of the 
slides in your presentation. Check 
out the how-to’s and those ideas in 
this video.
54. View a history of previous Slides 
Q&A sessions. Google Slides lets 
teachers (student presenters, really 
anyone) collect questions from 
their audiences while they speak. 
When you collect those questions 
and comments from your audience, 
it’s possible to go back and view 
them again later.
49.
Send someone a link to your Google 
Doc that forces them to download a 
PDF version. Copy the URL (link) to 
that document. In the URL, find the 
word “edit” and delete it — and 
everything after it.) After the slash, 
type “export?format=pdf”. Share!
Add fancy text to your Google 
Classroom assignments. You 
can’t format text in Google 
Classroom assignments or 
announcements. But that doesn’t 
mean you can’t put fancy text in 
them! The “Cool Fancy Text 
Generator” will let you copy all 
sorts of fun fonts into your Google 
Classroom posts to highlight 
individual words or phrases. 
Skip easily through a YouTube 
video with the number keys.
The number keys 
on your laptop, 
computer or 
Chromebook can 
help you breeze 
through the video
by skipping unnecessary 
content.
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-secret-menu-for-google-slides-docs-drawings-and-more/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-secret-menu-for-google-slides-docs-drawings-and-more/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-secret-menu-for-google-slides-docs-drawings-and-more/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-secret-menu-for-google-slides-docs-drawings-and-more/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/creating-moveable-digital-activities-with-google-drawings-slides/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/creating-moveable-digital-activities-with-google-drawings-slides/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/creating-moveable-digital-activities-with-google-drawings-slides/
https://youtu.be/OkVdNDx7NXQ
https://youtu.be/OkVdNDx7NXQ
https://youtu.be/OkVdNDx7NXQ
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-secret-menu-for-google-slides-docs-drawings-and-more/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-secret-menu-for-google-slides-docs-drawings-and-more/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-secret-menu-for-google-slides-docs-drawings-and-more/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-secret-menu-for-google-slides-docs-drawings-and-more/
https://coolsymbol.com/cool-fancy-text-generator.html
https://coolsymbol.com/cool-fancy-text-generator.html
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-secret-menu-for-google-slides-docs-drawings-and-more/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/the-secret-menu-for-google-slides-docs-drawings-and-more/
Travel back in time. Time travel isn't 
possible... yet but these virtual field 
trips and tours are just about as 
close as you can get! So why read 
about history when you can immerse 
yourself in a historical experience? 
Check out these virtual field trips 
below and visit even more 
destinations.
56. Explore the hidden world of 
national parks. Journey through 
some of the world’s most amazing 
places. See the Kenai Fjords, Hawaii 
Volcanoes, Carlsbad Caverns, Bryce 
Canyon and the Dry Tortugas.
Explore the world with your class
57.
58. Have students keep a travel 
journal. Ask students to jot down 
their observations while on your 
virtual field trip. Use this virtual field 
trip observation journal or create 
one like it for your kiddos to use.
Take your class on a trip out of this 
world. Some places we couldn’t 
travel to even if we wanted to! 
Virtual field trips can take us under 
the sea or even up into space. Check 
out our Planet Earth and Space 
sections and take your students to 
some incredible places.
59. Visit the American Museum of 
Natural History from your 
classroom. This virtual field trip from 
the American Museum of Natural 
History explores how plate tectonics 
explains specific Earth formations.
60.
61. Gamify your virtual field trip with a 
Kahoot. Kahoot has partnered with 
loads of organizations like National 
Geographic, The American Museum 
of Natural History, Nature Lab and 
more! Check out all of their games 
and find one that fits. Play before 
your trip and again after to see how 
much your students learned.
For MORE virtual field trips 
plus tons of activities, ideas 
and lessons you can use in 
the classroom check out 
our Getting Started with 
Virtual Field Trips online 
course.
https://ditchthattextbook.com/virtual-field-trips/#tve-jump-1785a8c4b50https://ditchthattextbook.com/virtual-field-trips/#tve-jump-1785a8c4b50
https://ditchthattextbook.com/virtual-field-trips/#tve-jump-1785a8c4b50
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-virtual-field-trip-ideas-and-activities-for-your-classroom/#t-1616514143456
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-virtual-field-trip-ideas-and-activities-for-your-classroom/#t-1616514143456
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-virtual-field-trip-ideas-and-activities-for-your-classroom/#t-1616545196765
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-virtual-field-trip-ideas-and-activities-for-your-classroom/#t-1616545196765
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-virtual-field-trip-ideas-and-activities-for-your-classroom/#t-1616545196765
https://ditchthattextbook.com/virtual-field-trips/#tve-jump-1785a8c9e6a
https://ditchthattextbook.com/virtual-field-trips/#tve-jump-1785a8a7391
https://ditchthattextbook.com/virtual-field-trips/#tve-jump-1785a8a7391
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-virtual-field-trip-ideas-and-activities-for-your-classroom/#t-1616514143458
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-virtual-field-trip-ideas-and-activities-for-your-classroom/#t-1616514143458
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-virtual-field-trip-ideas-and-activities-for-your-classroom/#t-1616514143458
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-virtual-field-trip-ideas-and-activities-for-your-classroom/#t-1616514143458
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-virtual-field-trip-ideas-and-activities-for-your-classroom/#t-1616545196764
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-virtual-field-trip-ideas-and-activities-for-your-classroom/#t-1616545196764
https://ditch.teachable.com/p/virtual-field-trips
62. Try a brain dump. The idea here is simple: get everything you've learned out of your brain. 
Put it on paper. Tell it to a friend. Record it on a video. It's like a dump truck. Tip the bed 
over and get that stuff out of the truck! It can be as simple as asking students to write out 
everything they remember about yesterday's class on a sheet of paper.
63. Stop and jot down two things. At any point during a lesson, stop and have students write 
down Two Things about a specific prompt. Here's what I love about this strategy. First, it's 
easy and doable. Anyone can come up with two things. Second, it encourages retrieval and 
participation. It's something you can do at any point during class.
64. Take student-produced quizzes. After learning, students come up with one question that 
could be asked on a quiz. Collect the questions and use them to help students retrieve and 
review.
Improve long term learning
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/brain-dump-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/longterm/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/longterm/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/longterm/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/longterm/
65.
66.
Make activities 
interactive
Make slide presentations 
interactive with Pear Deck. Get 
students engaged in new material 
by adding hands-on slides they 
can interact with. Here are 20 
ways to use Pear Deck.
Creating eye-popping 
infographics with Google 
Drawings. They’re eye-catching. 
They summarize information 
succinctly. They’re very visual, 
whether you’re viewing on a 
page or a printed version hung 
on a wall. They’re easy to share.
Make comic strips out of 
new content. Students can 
use images, speech bubbles 
and more to create fun, 
engaging comic strips to 
demonstrate learning.
67.
68.
Write “Choose Your Own Adventure” 
stories. Remember those stories where 
you pick what the characters in the book 
do, then turn to a specific page to see 
what happens? Students can create them 
using Google Forms. Click here to see 
how. 
69. Write blackout poetry. Have 
the students take a picture or 
screenshot of an article. 
Add speech bubbles to a historic 
photo. Add a new twist to a lesson 
by letting students speak — or think 
— for the characters.
70.
Paste that 
image into 
Google 
Drawings/Slide
s and blackout 
everything 
except the 
words chosen 
for the poem.
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/03/07/20-ways-to-use-pear-deck-to-engage-students/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/03/07/20-ways-to-use-pear-deck-to-engage-students/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2016/11/28/creating-eye-popping-infographics-with-google-drawings/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2016/11/28/creating-eye-popping-infographics-with-google-drawings/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2016/11/28/creating-eye-popping-infographics-with-google-drawings/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2016/11/28/creating-eye-popping-infographics-with-google-drawings/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/12/20/crash-bang-boom-how-to-add-google-drawings-comic-strips-to-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/12/20/crash-bang-boom-how-to-add-google-drawings-comic-strips-to-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/12/20/crash-bang-boom-how-to-add-google-drawings-comic-strips-to-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2014/02/03/20-collaborative-google-apps-activities-for-schools/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2014/02/03/20-collaborative-google-apps-activities-for-schools/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2013/05/07/tech-tuesday-screencast-choose-your-own-adventure-stories/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2013/05/07/tech-tuesday-screencast-choose-your-own-adventure-stories/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/08/21/10-digital-bell-ringer-activities-to-kickstart-class-part-1/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/08/21/10-digital-bell-ringer-activities-to-kickstart-class-part-1/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/08/21/10-digital-bell-ringer-activities-to-kickstart-class-part-1/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/08/30/10-more-digital-bell-ringer-activities-to-kickstart-class-part-2/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/08/30/10-more-digital-bell-ringer-activities-to-kickstart-class-part-2/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/08/30/10-more-digital-bell-ringer-activities-to-kickstart-class-part-2/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/08/30/10-more-digital-bell-ringer-activities-to-kickstart-class-part-2/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/08/30/10-more-digital-bell-ringer-activities-to-kickstart-class-part-2/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/08/30/10-more-digital-bell-ringer-activities-to-kickstart-class-part-2/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/08/30/10-more-digital-bell-ringer-activities-to-kickstart-class-part-2/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/08/30/10-more-digital-bell-ringer-activities-to-kickstart-class-part-2/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/08/30/10-more-digital-bell-ringer-activities-to-kickstart-class-part-2/
71.
72. 74.
73.
Create a shared presentation. 
Create a PowerPoint presentation 
and then create a slide for every 
student in the class. Share the 
presentation with students and 
assign each student a slide 
number. Students can use it as a 
quick "do now" activity, as an exit 
ticket or other types of formative 
assessment. 
Brainstorm with PowerPoint 
sticky notes. Sticky notes in 
PowerPoint makes brainstorming 
easy! The sticky notes stay in 
place. Students can open the 
PowerPoint file any time and none 
of the slides have fallen off the 
wall or been moved around.
Make an "app" with PowerPoint. 
Hyperlinking images to slides within 
a PowerPoint presentation gives kids 
a fun opportunity to create an "app". 
This "Phone App" template from 
Slides Mania has an already created 
app like user experience.
This "Phone App" template from 
Slides Mania has an already created 
app like user experience. 
Play Snapchat Games. How 
much fun would it be to play 
“Would You Rather,” “This or 
That,” and “My Face When” 
with class content?!? 
You can with Microsoft 
Powerpoint!
https://ditchthattextbook.com/interactive-powerpoint-activities/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Tweet-for-someone-template.pptx
https://ditchthattextbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Tweet-for-someone-template.pptx
https://ditchthattextbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Tweet-for-someone-template.pptx
https://slidesmania.com/free-school-phone-app-template-for-google-slides/
https://slidesmania.com/free-school-phone-app-template-for-google-slides/https://ditchthattextbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Would-You-Rather-Snapchat-template.pptx
https://ditchthattextbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/This-or-That_-Snapchat-template.pptx
https://ditchthattextbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/This-or-That_-Snapchat-template.pptx
https://ditchthattextbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/My-Face-When-Snapchat-template.pptx
https://ditchthattextbook.com/interactive-powerpoint-activities/
30 second book talk challenge. 
Have your students share about 
their favorite book in 30 seconds or 
less. 
75.
Microsoft Flip for ALL!
78. Debate a topic! Add a Flip video to 
the share section of this “Great 
Debate” HyperDoc by Rayna 
Freedman to get your students 
debating.
76. Put a spin on student of the 
week. Have each student record a 
video sharing why that student of 
the week is special. Students will 
enjoy watching video messages 
from their classmates sharing why 
they are a valued member of their 
classroom community.
77. Exit tickets get a makeover. Post 
the question “What did you learn 
today?” or better yet ask your 
students “What did you create 
today?” for the students to answer 
before leaving class.
79. Reading response goes digital. 
After your class reads an article, 
chapter or book have them respond 
to a question about their reading. 
Take the conversation further by 
having students comment on each 
other’s responses.
80. Show what you know! Choice and 
voice are so important for getting 
students to share their knowledge 
with us. What better way to do that 
then to add Flip as an option in a 
Show What You Know BINGO 
board?
Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a 
classroom video platform. 
Teachers ask a question or create a 
prompt. Then, students can 
respond to it with a short video clip 
that they shoot on their devices. 
Teachers and students all over the 
world are finding innovative ways 
to give students a voice with this 
tool.
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-tWWiVx2gA8ezp_di0NTZ3YYY11O8NxZ73KR8CGv5Bk/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-tWWiVx2gA8ezp_di0NTZ3YYY11O8NxZ73KR8CGv5Bk/edit
https://twitter.com/rlfreedm
https://twitter.com/rlfreedm
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/06/02/catch-the-flipgrid-fever-15-ways-to-use-flipgrid-in-your-class/
https://sites.google.com/site/highfill2013/hyperdocs-explained/show-what-you-know
https://sites.google.com/site/highfill2013/hyperdocs-explained/show-what-you-know
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
Create a whiteboard animation. Set 
up something with a camera so it 
won't move (on a tripod or 
otherwise). Aim it at a whiteboard or 
chalkboard. Record and start 
drawing. Use video editing tools to 
speed it up to four times its normal 
speed and add a voiceover (and 
music?).
Put new learning in motion! 
Google Slides (or PowerPoint or 
any presentation slide tool) can be 
turned into a simple stop-motion 
animation tool. They’re fun for 
students to create and share with 
others!
Make a video tour of a 
significant location. Use Google 
Maps Street View to view one of 
these fantastic locations virtually 
(or anywhere else). Record it 
(including the microphone for 
your voice) while you play tour 
guide and read some facts about 
the location from a script or 
extemporaneously!
Pin important locations in an area 
being studied. Studying a certain 
location? Before digging into your 
content, have students do some 
preliminary Internet research and 
create a Google MyMap with their 
findings. They’ll be better prepared 
for your unit of study! 
Create animated GIFs. These 
fun, moving images are all over 
social media. They’re short and 
can capture an idea in an instant. 
Google Photos will create an 
animated GIF automatically for 
students.
Create a personal narrative 
Narratives can be about students 
themselves, a fictional character or 
historical person. Use the webcam 
option in the Screencastify Chrome 
extension for an easy way to record.
Teach with video
http://blogush.edublogs.org/2012/12/26/how-to-make-rsa-animate-style-videos-with-your-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/02/14/learning-in-motion-easy-stop-motion-animation-with-google-slides/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/02/14/learning-in-motion-easy-stop-motion-animation-with-google-slides/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/02/14/learning-in-motion-easy-stop-motion-animation-with-google-slides/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/02/14/learning-in-motion-easy-stop-motion-animation-with-google-slides/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-maps-walking-tours-with-street-view-and-screencastify/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-maps-walking-tours-with-street-view-and-screencastify/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-maps-walking-tours-with-street-view-and-screencastify/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-maps-walking-tours-with-street-view-and-screencastify/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2016/03/15/20-ways-google-mymaps-can-enhance-lessons-in-any-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2016/03/15/20-ways-google-mymaps-can-enhance-lessons-in-any-class/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2016/10/20/teaching-through-the-camera-lens-10-activities-with-photos-and-video/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2016/10/20/teaching-through-the-camera-lens-10-activities-with-photos-and-video/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2016/10/20/teaching-through-the-camera-lens-10-activities-with-photos-and-video/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.photos&hl=en
https://ditchthattextbook.com/14-ways-to-create-great-classroom-video-with-screencastify/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/14-ways-to-create-great-classroom-video-with-screencastify/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/14-ways-to-create-great-classroom-video-with-screencastify/
Make a top 10 video with Microsoft 
Flip. A Top 10 video is a fun way for 
students to show what they know in 
a way that's fun to watch! Here are 
step-by-step instructions with tips 
and tricks.
87. Record video self assessment. 
Students don’t have to get all their 
assessment and feedback from the 
teacher. When they do it themselves,it empowers them to be lifelong 
learners. Recording a video and 
posting it to Seesaw gives students a 
place for that self assessment.
88. Take your video projects anywhere 
with green screen. Green screen 
apps let students superimpose 
themselves over an image or video 
background. This makes it look like 
they're almost anywhere in the world 
(or beyond!) in these videos.
89. Create an unboxing video. 
Unboxing videos are a hit on 
YouTube. Videos of people opening 
electronics, toys, makeup, and more 
are viewed millions of times on 
YouTube.
Create Netflix-style learning with 
screencast. When students have 
created screencast videos and they 
look back through their work, it’s like 
Netflix for learning! 
91.
92. Present slides with a screencast 
recording. People communicate big, 
important ideas like this all the time 
using webinars. Instead of 
presenting multiple bullet points on 
a single slide, break each point out 
into its own slide. Screencast 
recording tools like Screencastify 
make it easy.
93.
90. 94.Record a product review. Students 
can identify something to review. 
Share pros and cons relate to the 
reviewed item. Insert opinion, 
sharing why something could have 
been better or why it's really good. 
Conclude with an overall opinion in 
light of everything shared.
Share tips and tricks. Students 
can create tips and tricks videos 
for anything they have 
experience with. If your class can 
justify students sharing about 
more broad topics, this could be 
really fun and effective.
https://ditchthattextbook.com/top-10-videos/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/top-10-videos/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/top-10-videos/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-seesaw-ideas-with-chromebooks-for-k-12-classes/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-seesaw-ideas-with-chromebooks-for-k-12-classes/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-seesaw-ideas-with-chromebooks-for-k-12-classes/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/green-screen-project-ideas/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/green-screen-project-ideas/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/green-screen-project-ideas/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-video-project-ideas-to-engage-students/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/09/21/create-netflix-style-learning-with-screencasts/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/09/21/create-netflix-style-learning-with-screencasts/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/09/21/create-netflix-style-learning-with-screencasts/
http://ditchthattextbook.com/2017/09/21/create-netflix-style-learning-with-screencasts/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/14-ways-to-create-great-classroom-video-with-screencastify/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/14-ways-to-create-great-classroom-video-with-screencastify/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/14-ways-to-create-great-classroom-video-with-screencastify/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/youtube-classroom-video-ideas/#tab-con-3
https://ditchthattextbook.com/youtube-classroom-video-ideas/#tab-con-8
https://ditchthattextbook.com/youtube-classroom-video-ideas/#tab-con-8
https://ditchthattextbook.com/youtube-classroom-video-ideas/#tab-con-8
https://ditchthattextbook.com/youtube-classroom-video-ideas/#tab-con-8
95.
96.
98.
99.
Reflect and share with Padlet. 
Padlet is a web app that lets users 
post notes on a digital wall. Those 
sticky notes have images, links and 
videos. Padlet provides an excellent 
collaborative space for students to 
share what they have learned. 
Students can 
Go tech free. Using play-doh or 
aluminum foil create a model that 
represents the big idea for the 
concept we just studied. Using a 
post it note or index card create a 
title and short sentence to describe 
your art.
Use 3-2-1 self reflection. Using 
this idea students will identify 
(three things they did well, two 
concepts they need to practice 
more, and ask 1 question of their 
teacher. You can modify this 3-2-1 
reflection template to fit your 
class or use it as it.
Encourage peer feedback with 
two stars and a wish. A 
protocol like “two stars and a 
wish” can be an effective tool for 
supporting students as they 
work on giving constructive 
feedback to their classmates.
Create a graffiti wall. Give each 
student a place on a large paper to 
create a piece of art with words 
and/or pictures that represents the 
big idea of the concept you are 
studying.
97. 100. Try the TAG method. In the 
TAG method students will "Tell 
something good", "Ask a 
question" then "Give a 
suggestion".
101. Utilize the create a question function in Google 
Classroom. Students not only get a platform to have their 
voices heard, but they also learn to engage with their peers 
by responding directly to them. 
Utilize powerful assessment tools
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-useful-ways-to-use-padlet-in-class-now/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/20-useful-ways-to-use-padlet-in-class-now/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/no-tech-formative-assessment/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/3-2-1-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/3-2-1-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/3-2-1-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/two-stars-and-a-wish-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/two-stars-and-a-wish-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/two-stars-and-a-wish-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/two-stars-and-a-wish-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/two-stars-and-a-wish-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/two-stars-and-a-wish-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/infographic/tag-feedback-template/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/draw-choose-write-or-say-fantastic-formative-assessments/
https://ditchthattextbook.com/draw-choose-write-or-say-fantastic-formative-assessments/
Looking for more ideas?
Check out the Ditch 
That Textbook blog! 
Head over to 
DitchThatTextbook.com 
to browse articles, 
search for specific 
topics or check out the 
different pages 
available. You’ll find 
new articles about a 
wide variety of topics 
related to creativity, 
technology and 
innovation.
Matt Miller taught in public schools for more than 
10 years, teaching all levels of high school Spanish. 
In his career, he planned nearly 12,000 class 
lessons. He taught more than half a million 
instructional minutes. And he graded work for 
nearly 2,000 days of class. He’s an award-winning 
author of five books. Matt is a Google Certified 
Innovator, Microsoft in Education Expert, and 
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Bring Matt to your school/event!
Teachers leave Matt’s keynote speeches, workshops, 
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In 7+ years, he has worked with educators in 40+ states 
and 6 countries (in-person and virtually). He’s presented 
keynotes, workshops, and sessions at more than 300 
events at schools, school districts, and conferences.
He’s been sought out by companies like Google, 
Microsoft, Samsung, Viewsonic, Adobe, Cisco, and 
more.
“Matt was awesome and just what our district needed. 
He was an engaging, dynamic and relatable 
presenter.” – Director of Student Achievement
“Since his presentation, we have received many 
comments from staff regarding how they are using the 
technology ideas in their classrooms. Many are using it 
as part of the curriculum planning for next year, while 
others have already started using the programs in 
their current classrooms.” – Director of Curriculumand 
Instruction
“Matt Miller is ahead of the game! He has incredible 
insight into engaging students in ways that are FUN! 
His energy level is off the chart, and he interacted 
with our staff on a personal level.” – Principal
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