Ten years ago, I traded my red pen for a rolling pin. Well, almost. The idea of learning to make pasta had been simmering in the back of my mind for years, but like so many of us, I kept pushing it aside. Lesson plans, parent-teacher conferences, and the endless hustle of classroom life always seemed to take precedence. But this year, I decided it was time to dust off that dream—literally. Flour dust, that is.

My first attempt at pasta-making was, let’s just say, a lesson in humility. Thick, rubbery noodles that could’ve doubled as bungee cords. But as any teacher knows, failure is just the first step toward mastery. With a little guidance from YouTube’s pasta maestro, Evan Funke, and a bag of 00 flour (thanks, hubby!), I’m finally starting to get the hang of it.

What began as a personal experiment has sparked a bigger idea: blending my love for Italian culture with my passion for teaching. Imagine students learning the language of pasta—words like sfoglino (pasta maker) and tagliere (cutting board)—while exploring the rich history and traditions behind every dish. It’s a delicious way to connect culture, language, and learning.

So, here’s to embracing the mess, trying something new, and finding joy outside the classroom. Because even teachers need hobbies. Who’s with me?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s here, and it’s transforming the way we teach and learn. But with great power comes great responsibility. How can educators harness the potential of AI while ensuring it’s used ethically and effectively in the classroom? The answer lies in a human-centered approach that prioritizes the needs, abilities, and experiences of students, teachers, and administrators. From building AI literacy to addressing data privacy and fostering collaboration, this blog explores practical strategies for integrating AI into your lessons in ways that empower learners and uphold ethical standards. Whether you’re new to AI or looking to refine your approach, these insights will help you create a learning environment where technology enhances, rather than replaces, the human touch.

Can AI Really Help Teachers? My Experience with AI-Generated Classroom Designs

As we dive deeper into the school year, I’ve been exploring the potential of AI-generated classroom designs to transform how I approach lesson planning and creative projects. From interactive science lessons on volcanic eruptions and climate change to collaborative activities like coloring pages, AI has offered some surprising solutions. In this blog, I’ll share my personal experience using AI tools in the classroom—what worked, what didn’t, and how you can use AI to lighten your workload while keeping your lessons engaging and innovative!

metacognition in middle school, theory and application

Volcanic eruptions have caused global cooling.

Discover effective methods for teaching Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion. Enhance your science curriculum with engaging activities and insightful discussions on celestial dynamics.

Keplers Third Law of Planetary Motion

There are many cool fidget toys that work perfectly with our Autism file folders. These file folders show kids safe and unsafe situations, this can be stressful so use the fidgets with these file folders.

Washington State Executive Cabinet positions, DEI and redefining accountability.

Washington State History, prohibition.

Washington State History, State Prison lesson. This is a lesson about the prison system in the state of washington, as a social studies lesson.

Explore this guide for thought-provoking exit ticket questions. Exit tickets are a powerful formative assessment tool that can enhance student engagement, reinforce concepts, and promote self-reflection. These questions allow you to gauge student understanding effectively

Boys with autism have an average life expectancy of 36 years because they wander, and drown in ponds. These file folders teach autistic kids how to recognize a dangerous situation.

In 3rd-grade lesson, students explore the extinct marsupial lion, Thylacoleo carnifex. They read informational texts to learn about its habitat, physical features, and behaviors. Using this information, they complete writing prompts about where the marsupial lion lived, its retractable claws and premolars, and its hunting skills. This activity helps students improve reading comprehension and writing while discovering how this apex predator thrived in ancient Australia. The lesson ends with students sharing their work, bringing the marsupial lion’s world to life in the classroom.

Marsupial Lion Art Project for kids. Ideal for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. Thylacoleo Carnifex is an extict animal, and Australian apex predator. It had pointed front teeth, a pouch to carry its baby, a thick tail, and strong body.

Middle school can learn philosophy! The Little Prince was written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and is a great introduction to philosophy and critical thinking for middle school kids.

La Rentrée: French Back-to-School Collaborative Posters are ready for August. These French posters are available in two sizes, and they all reflect on Le Petit Prince.

Collaborative Coloring Pages and Indigenous People of South America, many new coloring pages available.

I am remaking my schools file folders. Come and see the great work.

This is a great lesson plan for first graders! Zombies don’t eat veggies.