“It's like having a second teacher in my classroom.” ~ a teacher describing Byrdseed.TV

Arizona ELA Standard: 8.SL.1.a

Come to discussions prepared having read or researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion.

Power can be Visible or Invisible
Power can be Visible or Invisible
What are examples of unseen Power? And can invisible power be more powerful than visible power?
Gr 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Student Introductions With Depth, Complexity, and Frames: Level Two
Student Introductions With Depth, Complexity, and Frames: Level Two
Once students know the prompts of Depth and Complexity, let’s take them much higher up Bloom’s Taxonomy.
Gr 1-8
Notice, Wonder: Silver Torch
Notice, Wonder: Silver Torch
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Not Like The Others: African Nations
Not Like The Others: African Nations
Four African nations. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 1-8
Discussing An Important Decision from History
Discussing An Important Decision from History
How would people with two different perspectives discuss a decision from history?
Gr 2-8
Notice, Wonder: Critter
Notice, Wonder: Critter
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Chess Variant: Monster Chess
Chess Variant: Monster Chess
What if you had really weak chess pieces, but you could always move twice?
Gr 1-8
Notice, Wonder: SLS Test
Notice, Wonder: SLS Test
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Notice, Wonder: Craters
Notice, Wonder: Craters
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Notice, Wonder: Swirls
Notice, Wonder: Swirls
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Notice, Wonder: Witch’s Fingers
Notice, Wonder: Witch’s Fingers
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Notice, Wonder: An Orange Thing
Notice, Wonder: An Orange Thing
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Notice, Wonder: Akron
Notice, Wonder: Akron
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
Notice Wonder: Turbine
Notice Wonder: Turbine
Your students will be surprised by the size of this turbine… and by what’s hanging from it!
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Notice Wonder: Z-Machine
Notice Wonder: Z-Machine
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Notice, Wonder: Etna
Notice, Wonder: Etna
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Notice, Wonder: A Ship
Notice, Wonder: A Ship
A mysterious image. Reveal it slowly. Let your students wonder!
Gr 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Student Introductions with Complexity and Frames
Student Introductions with Complexity and Frames
How have you changed over time? Students introduce themselves through the lens of change — and learn a Depth and Complexity tool in the process.
Gr 1-8
Paradox: Crocodile Dilemma
Paradox: Crocodile Dilemma
A crocodile makes a deal. But the deal creates a paradox. Can your students untangle a 2,000-year-old logic puzzle?
Gr 1-8
The Resiliency Tournament
The Resiliency Tournament
Your students will set up a tournament to determine which person or character best demonstrated resiliency.
Gr 1-8
Improving Presentations 4: The Big Day
Improving Presentations 4: The Big Day
How do you mentally (and emotionally) prepare yourself for the big day?
Gr 2-8
Improving Presentations 1: Watching The Greats
Improving Presentations 1: Watching The Greats
Get better at giving presentations by studying the greats!
Gr 2-8
Depth and Complexity: ❓ Unanswered Questions
Depth and Complexity: ❓ Unanswered Questions
This underutilized tool focuses students on what we don’t yet know and even what we can’t know.
Gr 1-8
Depth and Complexity: ⚖️ Ethics
Depth and Complexity: ⚖️ Ethics
Want to add drama to any topic? Use the Ethics prompt!
Gr 2-8
Depth and Complexity: 🌻 Details
Depth and Complexity: 🌻 Details
Get kids focusing on the small, but essential, details of a topic.
Gr 1-8
Teaching Empathy With Faberge Eggs
Teaching Empathy With Faberge Eggs
The story of the Fabergé Eggs is heartbreaking. It’s also the perfect way to build empathy in your classroom.
Gr 1-8
Intellectual Intensity
Intellectual Intensity
Do you know someone who becomes a bit overexcited by ideas?
Gr 3-8
Think Like An Economist
Think Like An Economist
How would an economist read Goldilocks? How would they see a rainforest? How would they study the American Revolution?
Gr 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Add Layers To Direct Instruction
Add Layers To Direct Instruction
Take direction instruction beyond a monotonous practice of the same skill over and over.
Gr 1-8