📺 Free PD in your PJs!

🎙️ Today’s featured speaker: LaNesha Tabb

🎥 Reluctant Writers: Strategies to Engage That Really Work with LaNesha Tabb

It’s time for the writing block — or a writing assignment.

In the mind of some students? “Ugh … do we have to do this?”

(And in the mind of some teachers? “Ugh … do we have to do this?”)

Writing can be a struggle! It’s not intuitive. It’s not just one of those things that comes naturally to lots of kids.

There are concrete reasons why writing is hard for some students — and there are concrete strategies you can use to empower your student writers.

In this incredibly practical (and insightful) session, LaNesha shares how she turned her writing block from a struggle to a strength. She also weaves in the science of learning to help you teach (and your students learn) in ways the brain prefers.

📺 Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit: K-2 Edition

The Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit is back! While "EdTech" can sometimes feel geared toward older grades, this year’s lineup (and the vault of past videos) is packed with gems perfect for the primary classroom.

🎥 The New 2025 Lineup: What to Watch

Dec 15: The Six Pillars to Honor and Equip the Whole Teacher

• Speaker: Allyson Apsey

• Why it’s for K-2: Teaching little ones requires immense emotional energy. This session isn’t about tech; it’s about you. Allyson focuses on the "whole teacher," offering strategies to stay regulated and happy so you can be your best self for your students.

Dec 16: TODAY! Reluctant Writers: Strategies to Engage That Really Work

• Speaker: LaNesha Tabb

• Why it’s for K-2: (Top Pick!) LaNesha is a primary grades superstar. If you have students who cry when the pencils come out or struggle to get ideas on paper, this is the session to watch. Expect practical, hands-on strategies to make writing fun and accessible for beginning writers.

Dec 16: TODAY! How Book Creator + Kami Unleash Classroom Creativity

• Speaker: Spotlight Sponsor Session

• Why it’s for K-2: Book Creator is a K-2 essential because it allows students to "write" books using their voice, photos, and drawings before they can even type. Combined with Kami (which lets kids draw on digital worksheets), this session is perfect for seeing how to make digital work capable for little hands.

Dec 17: Stronger AI Literacy, Teaching AND Learning in Any Class

• Speaker: Matt Miller

• Why it’s for K-2: Even if our students aren't using AI yet, we need to prepare them for the world they will inherit. This session helps teachers approach AI with a focus on critical thinking.

Dec 18: A World of Multimedia Digital Possibilities with Padlet

• Speaker: Spotlight Sponsor Session

• Why it’s for K-2: Padlet is one of the easiest tools for non-readers. Students can snap a photo of their work or record their voice to explain a drawing without typing a single word. A great way to build digital portfolios in K-2.

Dec 19: Cognitive Science and Memory Strategies for the Classroom

• Speaker: Janell Blunt

• Why it’s for K-2: We spend all day teaching foundational skills like sight words and phonics rules. This session dives into how the brain actually remembers things, offering science-backed tricks to help those foundational lessons stick.

Dec 23: Vibe Coding: It's Amazing What YOU Can Create

• Speaker: Greg Bagby and Tony Vincent

• Why it’s for K-2: Don't let the word "coding" scare you! Tony Vincent is a master at making tech simple and visual. This session is likely to offer creative, drag-and-drop style ideas that can translate into logical thinking activities for younger student

  Get your free ticket!

🔓 From the Vault: 10 Must-Watch Past Sessions

Watch any of the 100+ Ditch Summit session from previous years on the Ditch Summit Video Library page any time. You can access these sessions immediately. Once you’re in just scroll down to the bottom of the videos page to access all past sessions. Or watch Matt’s video on the main page to get the rundown of how it all works.

1. Filling the World with Wonder

• Speaker: Brad Montague (2019)

• Why it’s for K-2: Brad (co-creator of Kid President) offers a powerful perspective on integrating wonder into education. It’s pure inspiration for cultivating curiosity and making the early classroom experience feel magical.

2. The Playful Classroom and Life

• Speakers: Jed Dearybury & Julie Jones (2022)

• Why it’s for K-2: This session explores the essential role of play and imagination. Gain inspiration on how to make learning engaging by integrating humor and embracing the unexpected.

3. 12 Must-Have Items to Make Your Classroom Rock

• Speaker: Deanna Rice (2021)

• Why it’s for K-2: Practical ideas for physical setup! Deanna suggests useful items like Expo window markers, doorbells for transitions, and low-cost tech like the Merge Cube.

4. 10 InterACTIVE, Engaging EdTech Classroom Ideas

• Speakers: Joe & Kristin Merrill (2023)

• Why it’s for K-2: Packed with ideas specifically for young students, like using Canva Yard Signs to celebrate work or "Let the Dice Decide" activities for student choice.

5. Fantastic Learning Activities with Google Drawings

• Speaker: Tony Vincent (2018)

• Why it’s for K-2: Tony shows simple ways to use Google Drawings for engaging K-2 activities like creating graphic organizers and digital manipulatives (drag-and-drop).

6. Building Relationships and Communicating with Students

• Speaker: Kim Bearden (2018)

• Why it’s for K-2: Learn principles for effective communication—consideration, motivation, appreciation, and validation—to build the strong connections crucial for a supportive early learning environment.

7. Learning Students LOVE Through Curiosity and Questions

• Speaker: Trevor MacKenzie (2024)

• Why it’s for K-2: Highly relevant to inquiry-based teaching. Learn how to use provocations (photos, picture books) to drive student questioning and elevate achievement.

8. Launching Student Creativity and Design Thinking

• Speaker: John Spencer (2016)

• Why it’s for K-2: Creativity is as important as literacy. Find guidance on using Design Thinking to empower young learners as critical thinkers and problem solvers.

9. The Building Blocks of Blended Learning

• Speaker: Holly Clark (2022)

• Why it’s for K-2: Holly breaks down blended learning as pedagogy, not just tech. Learn to foster student autonomy and curiosity by starting simple with blended models.

10. Student-Led Classrooms

• Speaker: Paul Solarz (2016)

• Why it’s for K-2: Encourages teachers to empower young students by granting them freedom and autonomy, helping build respect and the confidence to take risks.

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