Socratic seminars are a democratic, student-centered, approach to class discussions. They can be used at any grade level with any subject area. In a Socratic Seminar, members meet in a circle and share their insights. Participants do not raise their hands or call on names. Because there’s no discussion leader, each member can comment or ask follow-up questions to one another. This approach can be empowering for participants because they own the conversation. Unlike a typical class discussion, the conversation moves fluidly back and forth rather than having to go through the teacher.

This article outlines several approaches to conducting a Socratic Seminar:
- The Giant Circle Approach
- The “Fish Bowl” Approach
- The Round Table Approach
- The Scattered Approach
- Multiple Seminars
- Online/Offline Seminars

The author also provides a sample of how to run a Socratic Seminar and tips for ensuring that all students can participate.

This one-page "Cheat Sheet" puts information about PGs into a sustinct format that reminds us about:- what personalized goals are and are not- why we should be using PGs- what makes a foundational outcome - characteristics of a good PG- strategies to support achievement of PGs

"This report outlines strategies to increase authentic student voice in education at the school, district, and state levels."

Flipgrid is social learning for PreK to PhD learners ... and beyond!

Teachers can create grids and add topics.

Grids are the meeting place for your classroom, your school, your department or any learning community to discuss your Topics.

Start with an icebreaker, add weekly reflections, share book talks, explore STEM principles, give mini-presentations ... any Topic to ignite discussion!

Check out the Flipgrid Educator’s Guide (copy and paste this web address into a browser: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzZGEfOtEWqPcGUzcFd2RzRjYTQ/view) by our awesome friends Karly, Sean and Jennifer!

"Learn new skills, discover classroom activities and earn badges and certificates!"

This amazing resource has content and courses and a variety of learning paths for teachers. There are great lessons you can learn with your kids, or you can go here to develop the skills you need to infuse technology into your classroom successfully.

Intro courses include Minecraft, blended learning, personalized learning, and student voice. Also available are learning to use applications such as Forms, OneNote, etc.

This will also connect you to Skype in the Classroom to literally make the world your classroom!

Ditch That Textbook offer 4 videos to will support teachers in preparing students for a future in which they will be in control, by letting them practice having autonomy and choice.
VIDEO 1: EMPOWER STUDENTS WITH CLASSROOM VOTING
VIDEO 2: BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH CLASSROOM SURVEYS
VIDEO 3: INSTILL RESPONSIBILITY WITH CLASSROOM JOBS
VIDEO 4: CREATE AN "OUR CLASS, OUR VOICE" CLASSROOM" - AUTONOMY & VOICE

The student voice as to why we need PebL.

This poem was entered into the Mensa Canada Poetry contest and won 2nd place.

"Pear Deck was founded by educators on a mission to help teachers engage every student, every day. With solutions rooted in active learning and formative assessment, we make it easy for you to connect with learners of every age and ability. When that happens, more students participate and learn, classroom community improves, and you'll know you're making a difference."

Watch the video to see how Pear Deck works!

The Free Version includes the ability to:
Design brilliant lessons with interactive questions, polls, quizzes, formative assessments

Work seamlessly with powerful classroom tools from Google and Microsoft

Ready-to-teach templates designed by educators

Support flexible work with Student Paced mode

Teach vocabulary with Flashcard Factory*

There is a paid and a free version of this tool. Teachers can sign up for free.

There are several options of pre-made lessons on this site (some are free and some cost money.) But you can also make your OWN. You can use existing PowerPoints to make presentations or lessons and add in video, quizzes, surveys, polls, etc. Kids can even draw their answers to questions.

"Nearpod is an award-winning student engagement platform with ready-to-run interactive lessons for K-12 teachers. Explore interactive lessons and interactive activities."