Vicki A. Davis's Blog

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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What if math could feel like play?

In this episode, I sit down with Dan Finkel, founder of Math for Love and creator of Prime Climb and Tiny Polka Dot, to talk about how curiosity, play, and productive struggle can transform the way we teach — and experience — mathematics.

Dan reminds us that math isn’t just about right answers — it’s about wonder, exploration, and dis...

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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Dr. Catlin Tucker joins me to discuss designing better lessons with AI. She explains how teachers can do this without losing their essential human touch. Catlin shares insights on Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Additionally, she discusses creating meaningful student choice. Importantly, she shares how AI can elevate lesson planning when used with intentionality and cre...

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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In this episode of Cool Cat Teacher Talk, host we sit down with experts from education and business leaders in the AI world to talk about real world learning. We'll talk about everything from AI innovation to personalized learning and homework strategies that truly work.

We'll talk to AI leaders, school administrators, and classroom experts who share how real change happe...

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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Clixo is the STEAM toy that is perfect for screen-free fun in the classroom while still bringing design thinking and emotional intelligence into the mix.

As a Mom, I have always looked for fun and engaging screen-free fun for my children. I prefer non-screen activities. I also want them to include design thinking toys that they would play with on trips. My kids are older n...

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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In this episode of The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, award-winning author and writing professor Nancy McCabe shares six timeless, creative ideas to help your students rediscover the joy of writing. She explains how free writing, sensory exploration, and some simple writing activities can awaken student creativity. I also love how she celebrates that imperfection might be the be...

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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Learning a new language can be stressful — but it doesn’t have to be. In this inspiring episode, Spanish teacher Dawne Beck joins me. She shares how she builds a low-anxiety, high-engagement classroom. In her classroom, students laugh, play, and learn together. Dawne is across the hall from me and she is one of the best teachers I've ever known.

I have had her on the show...

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Class sizes can be large and when the class is learning another language, the size can be unwieldy. Providing individualized formative feedback is so difficult. 

As a Spanish 2 teacher, I face an enormous challenge. I need to give my students constant feedback as they acquire new vocabulary. I want them to pronounce words correctly and develop meaningful communication ski...

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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My students asked me about the Adam Raine wrongful death suit. Parents have asked me. So, I had to spend some time digging into the issues there and how I will be part of the solution. Part of protecting kids from their favorite ‘homework helper.' We should all be concerned and I look forward to continuing to learn and converse about the issue of our times as it relates to c...

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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The final stages. When things become super clear. I'm spending a lot of time at dad's bedside lately. Reminiscing. Yesterday because Robert Redford died, Dad wanted us to watch the airplane scene from Out of Africa. He laughs every time Redford's character says he learned to fly yesterday. He tears up every time the two hold hands as they fly. Dad is a romantic.

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From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Subscribe to the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts.

This episode of my weekly radio/TV show Cool Cat Teacher Talk spotlights two important topics. First, I Have eight news stories that you'll want to hear about AI. Then, I have interviews with math educators Dr. Jennifer Bay-Williams and Dr. Gina Kling, co-authors of Math Fact Fluency: 60+ Games and Assessment Tools to Support Learning and Retention. We'll dive into how to he...