My oldest two kids came into my classroom yesterday after school with giant smiles. “Daddy, we’ve got HOMEWORK!!!” They were ecstatic. They couldn’t wait to sit down and get started on it. They set themselves up at a small desk in the back of the room, carefully got out their homework and went right toContinue reading “We’ve got HOMEWORK!!!”
Author Archives: Nick
Give us another quiz!!
I found this new assessment tool that left my students asking for more. It turned a quiz into a game with live results, a leader-board, trash talking and cheering for more. It’s called kahoot and if you’re a teacher whose students have access to computers, tablets or smartphones, you’ve got to check it out.
Summer and Time
My summer break will end in less than 2 hours. It’s been several weeks since school let out but it somehow feels like less than that and more than that at the same time. One of the books that I read this summer explored the bizarre nature of time – how sometimes it can seemContinue reading “Summer and Time”
What should we do today?
At the beginning of the summer, everyone in our family shared one thing that we were hoping to do this summer. The kids shouted out things like camping trips, bike rides, and ice cream parties. I thought for a little while before realizing that what I really wanted was to have a few mornings whenContinue reading “What should we do today?”
Elevator Pitches for 20 Time Projects
We’re 5 weeks into our 20 time projects and students submitted their proposals to the class today and recorded their elevator pitches. The requirements for the elevator pitch were simple: In less than 30 seconds, introduce us to your project in a way that convinces us that it’s worthwhile. Students were pretty excited about thisContinue reading “Elevator Pitches for 20 Time Projects”
Creativity at home
“Why is it that it’s so easy to pour our creative selves into a project at work but so hard to show that same creativity at home with our kids?” I recently had breakfast with a few dads who, like me, have jobs that lend themselves towards creativity. We reflected, somewhat sadly, about our intenseContinue reading “Creativity at home”
After 1 Day of 20 Percent Time
I had students share a single word to describe how they were feeling after we explored the what, why, and how of 20 percent time. There was quite a range of responses. One student even said “cats.”
150 Word Sample
I’m curious what 150 words actually looks like on a page. I’m requiring my video production students to write a blog post each week for their 20 time projects. These blog posts need to have a least 150 words and an image that they have permission to use. When I first introduced this to theContinue reading “150 Word Sample”
20 Percent Time Introduced
I recently attended a conference called the Google Apps for Education Summit. It was fantastic. I met innovative educators from all over the country, explored all sorts of new ways to engage students using technology in the classroom, and found out about a beautiful concept called 20 percent time that I’m hoping will shape theContinue reading “20 Percent Time Introduced”
Put your cell phones away
I love showing this video on my first day with new students. I include it as part of my explanation of classroom procedures by saying something like this: I expect that when you are in this class, you will have your cell phone completely put away so that it’s not a distraction to you. IfContinue reading “Put your cell phones away”
Mr. Zerwas Teaches Here 