As teachers, we should strive to offer different choices for our students to become curious about learning and better understand the world around them. As they learn, they need to be able to show what they are learning and to apply their knowledge in ways that enable them to be creative, have fun while creating, and engage more in learning. When it comes to our content which is important, we also need to bring in diverse learning materials that enable students to learn the content in a more authentic and engaging way, while developing skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity that can be transferred to their future.

Using PebbleGo and the books available through Capstone, foster creativity and curiosity in students. Combining the Capstone content with all of the creativity options available by using PebbleGo Create, students can create meaningful and visually engaging representations of their learning. Because Capstone offers curriculum-aligned content, teachers will be confident that they are providing powerful and purposeful learning experiences for students. When combined with the power of creation from PebbleGo Create, students will be empowered through voice and choice in learning as they create and can track their own growth and build skills in a digital environment.

Helping students develop their digital citizenship and essential technology skills is also facilitated using these tools. Using Capstone’s digital library collection, we empower students with choice as they select and read ebooks or explore articles available on PebbleGo. To reflect on and apply what they have read, they can use PebbleGo Create to express learning using a variety of creativity options that will promote authentic, meaningful and personalized learning for students. It truly is a multi-purpose platform that can do so much and the possibilities really are endless when it comes to learning!

Here are five fresh ideas for fall:

• Current events: November is Native American Heritage month and this presents a great opportunity for students to “recognize the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the United States.” Using the PebbleGo Next resources, students can complete a cultural comparison of some of the indigenous cultures. There are a variety of activities to help students learn how to research and share what they have learned.

Capstone has some great books available for students to read about changemakes and people of impact that led to the creation of some of our policies and government structures in place today. There are books about elections and the government. Students can read and then create something to share with classmates about what they have learned!

As students read, engage them in conversations, see what they are curious about and then have them create something to share that learning! Whether students design a book trailer or a book summary, it is a more engaging way to learn and share!

It’s important for students to be prepared when it comes to their health and that includes not just physical health at all to mental wellness. Especially as we focus on SEL, helping students to understand their emotions and practice mindfulness and being able to ask for help when needed is important. With holidays and special events throughout the year, students need to build their knowledge of healthy eating habits, and what better way than to explore in PebbleGo and then use PebbleGo Create to share that with classmates and their teacher!

Building upon SEL, we can help students to develop social awareness by learning about healthy habits for eating and then learning about other countries or customs of people from around the world!

With these great resources from Capstone, students can think about their habits and the importance of focusing on self-care and wellness!

It is important for students to understand the backgrounds and perspectives of their classmates so they can develop social awareness and other essential SEL skills. With options available in PebbleGo, throughout the year students can learn about important holidays and how they are celebrated and use what they learn to make cultural comparisons, which promotes global and cultural awareness. Building relationships in our classrooms is essential and as we prepare students for the future, providing as many opportunities to learn about the “what, why, and how” regarding holidays and traditions is important.

With the resources from PebbleGo and enabling students to then use PebbleGo Create to share learning, it enables each student to engage in the power of choice as they visually communicate learning, thoughts, and experiences and create something unique! There are so many options and all are provided in a safe space where students can explore and find exactly what they need!

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