Magic School AI

The world of AI tools is vast and ever-evolving. Amongst the sea of options, one particular tool has caught my attention: Magic School. With a focus on teachers and schools, it offers a unique approach that sets it apart from the rest. Its comprehensive range of categories opens up exciting possibilities for integrating AI into different educational contexts. The best part? It comes in both a free and paid version, tailored to suit varying needs. Allow me to share an image of its advantages from their official website. Get ready to dive into a world of innovative possibilities!

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On the home page, you will find 66 different categories. Some examples of these categories include Math Spiral Review, Standards Unpacker, Sentence Starters, Text Leveler, and IEP Generator, among many others. As I was curious, I decided to take a closer look at the Standards Unpacker category. What caught my attention was the fact that it addresses the specific skills that students need to succeed, provides clear Learning Targets, and summarizes the standard. However, I found the Instruction and Assessment Plan section to be somewhat vague. Nevertheless, one interesting aspect is that you can go back to the tool and use that initial plan as a starting point to create a more detailed and thorough plan.


Standard: 5.NBT.A.1

Break Down Standard:

Skills: Recognizing place value in multi-digit numbers
Knowledge: Understanding how the value of a digit changes as it moves to the left or right in a number
Concepts: Place value, base-ten number system, positional notation

Define Expectations:
In this standard, 5th-grade students are expected to understand the concept of place value in multi-digit numbers. They should recognize that each digit in a number has a specific value determined by its position. Additionally, they should understand that the value of a digit in one place is 10 times greater than its value in the place to its right, and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left.

Formulate Learning Targets:
By the end of this standard, students should be able to:

-Identify the place value of digits in multi-digit numbers.
-Determine the value of a digit based on its position within a number.
-Describe the relationship between the value of a digit and its position.

Instruction and Assessment Strategies:
Use manipulatives, such as base-ten blocks, to help students visualize and understand the concept of place value.
Provide opportunities for students to explore and compare the values of digits in different positions within a number.
Use number lines and number charts to reinforce the concept and relationship of place value.
Engage students in problem-solving activities that require them to apply their understanding of place value.
Assess students' understanding through quizzes, worksheets, and real-life problem-solving tasks that involve place value.

Summarize:
In this standard, 5th-grade students are expected to develop a deep understanding of place value in multi-digit numbers. They should be able to recognize the value of each digit based on its position within the number and understand the relationship of each digit to its neighboring digits. Instructional strategies such as hands-on manipulatives, visual aids, and problem-solving activities can help students master this concept. Assessment strategies should include both formal and informal methods to gauge students' understanding and application of place value.

From my brief exploration, I believe that this tool has the potential to greatly assist teachers in working more efficiently. It eliminates the need for teachers to come up with learning objectives, develop grading criteria, and design lesson plans. Although AI should not replace all of a teacher’s work, it can certainly assist them in the more demanding tasks. Teachers will still have the ability to review and customize the generated outputs to suit their specific requirements. Overall, I am optimistic about the potential of this tool.

Language Monsters

This is what my students are! Several of my students (and myself), have started using Duolingo to learn a new language. Currently I have 5 languages being acquired in my classroom: Spanish (most popular), French, Portuguese, Italian, and English.

duolingoIt all started several months ago with an ELL student. She was still having trouble acquiring English after being here for a few years. One suggestion I received was to have her get on Duolingo. So, we set her up in her native language (Spanish). She took the placement test and began learning English. She loves doing it, and feels that it’s been helping her. In order to have her not feel different during our Silent Reading time, I agreed to brush up on my Spanish. As time has progressed, more and more students have asked to learn a language. Yes, I realize some were asking so they could ‘get out’ of reading during Silent Reading time (SSR). I said, “Yes!” Yup, I’m that teacher that is okay when a student says they hate reading. I know they just haven’t found the right books yet, or it’s hard for them and SSR is no fun. So, learning a new language can be fun – and yes they are reading too!

What really excites me, is that some of the students asking to learn Spanish come from Spanish speaking homes. Some of these students have ‘forgotten’ their first language, in varying degrees, want to speak with their grandparents, or just want to learn the language their family knows. I think it’s all very exciting!

Now my SSR has students reading books – inside or outside; real or digital – learning a new language, listening to a book on CD, or reading a story (and taking a quiz) on Raz-Kids. Will all of them stick with learning a new language? No, and that’s okay. I love their willingness to try and learn new things.

Learning Is…

Define “learning” in 100 words or less.

This prompt made me think; 100 words or 1000 words ,I’m not sure I could ever articulate learning. But, here it goes.

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Learning is…

  • messy
  • fun
  • ever-changing
  • diverse
  • hands-on
  • cerebral
  • loud
  • focused
  • collaborative
  • filled with tangents
  • revolutionary
  • intrinsic
  • playful
  • innovative
  • exploration
  • social
  • creative
  • in a classroom
  • thinking
  • trying new things
  • outdoors
  • everywhere
  • different for everyone

Learning is what you make it. I hope you’re making the most of your experiences. (Check me out, I’ve got words to spare!)