21st Century Learning: From Seatwork to Feetwork

I just participated in a county-sponsored in-service centered around the book From Seatwork to Feetwork:  Engaging Students in Their Own Learning by Ron Nash.

Mr. Nash taught us some really great techniques for getting students out of their seats and responsible for their own learning.  Since my principal is a big fan of the teacher-led mini-lesson followed by much more student-driven discussion and independent work, this was a great in-service.

For Writing, Social Studies (any subject that requires reading and writing), here are some possibilities:
Go to his website and check out his FREE prereading activities:  Word Splash and Opin

For partnering up:
A version of Clock Buddies that I have used for years
Pairs, trios, or quads:  Fine Feathered Friends

For teaching questioning and speaking with and to others:
Paired Verbal Fluency
A visual of good listening skills


Other great books that offer more strategies for Brain Breaks and using music in the classroom:

 

Whew!  Lots of information!  Do you have anything similar that you do to incorporate movement or how to cooperate with their learning?  I'd love to hear your ideas!

Getting Into QR Codes

I have been incredibly curious about QR codes lately.  They're novel and appeal to students.  They make boring activities more interesting.  They make activities self-checking.  What's not to love?

I'm still working on learning how to make my own.  I'll post more about it when I figure feel comfortable with it.  In the meantime, here a post that really helped me by Kate Peila. 

Click here to read the full post.

Here is an excellent video with ideas from Tabitha Carro (AKA: Flapjack Educational Resources).  The title is "How to Scan QR Codes", but there's a wealth of ideas of how to use them. 

So here are some other great Pinterest-inspired ideas.

Alice Keeler gives ideas on using QR codes to create educational posters and time lines. 

Click here to see her full post.

Don't have room to post things all over the hallways or classroom walls?  Why not post index cards with students' names on them and a QR code that will take the viewer to their creation when scanned?

How about you?  Any great tips or resources for QR codes?  I'd love to hear them!