Raana Hibbs

From Frustration to Flow: How SRSD Transformed My Writers

As an educator, I’m always learning and trying to be better for the learners I work with. Last year, I became frustrated with how I was teaching writing. There were so many different ways to plan for personal narratives, informational texts, and opinion pieces—and I often felt I was guiding my students through every step instead of helping them develop true independence as writers.

So, I began searching for a better way. The two most recommended programs I found were The Writing Revolution and Think SRSD. I already had The Writing Revolution book, and while I appreciated its focus on sentences and syntax, I felt I already had a strong foundation from my learning with Alan Peat and Pie Corbett, creator of Talk for Writing, in the UK.

Think SRSD called to me because SRSD stands for Self-Regulation for Self-Development—and that philosophy aligned perfectly with how I want my learners to see themselves.

I started the course over the summer. I’m still working through it, but I learned enough to begin implementing changes from the very start of the school year—and I was so excited.

Many of the changes I have made have been small tweaks to my practice, but they’ve been profound. It’s as if I was adding the missing piece to a puzzle. One big shift has been in mindset: we now use positive self-talk not just in writing but across all subjects. I’ve overheard learners encouraging themselves and each other in math too!

We’ve also built a new classroom habit inspired by a Ditch That Textbook blog post from Matt Miller, Habit Stacking. Every time we open our cubbies, we say a positive affirmation—just a quick, daily reminder that builds confidence and community.

Building Confident, Independent Writers

We began with the Grade 2 pre-assessment, available from Think SRSD’s free resources, because I wanted to see where my learners were starting from. Their pre-assessment was an informational writing task about how octopuses protect themselves. The writing was full of effort and emerging ideas, but most learners weren’t yet sure how to organize their thoughts or expand on details.

Our first Collaborative Writing Cycle began with reading and annotating a mentor text together, followed by analyzing an exemplar to see what strong writing looks like. Then we dove into each step of POWeR.

During the Plan stage, we practiced pre-reading for the gist, understanding the prompt, and picking our ideas. We then learned how to organize our thoughts using TIDE—Topic, Important Evidence, Detailed Examination (of that evidence), and Ending.

As we wrote, we rehearsed each sentence aloud before writing it down, strengthening both our oral language and our confidence as writers. After drafting, we learned how to evaluate and improve our work through editing and revising together.

At first, I was uncertain—it still felt like I was doing most of the heavy lifting while my learners mainly followed along. But by the time we reached our third Power Writing cycle, I began to notice a change. We still planned and organized together, but when it came time to write, most learners felt confident enough to use their TIDE planners to write their own paragraphs. The process was still heavily guided, but the confidence and independence growing beneath the surface were undeniable.

For this cycle, we used Giraffes Can’t Dance, by Giles Andreae—a class favorite—to explore how a character’s feelings can change over time. Students used their plans to write full responses describing how Gerald’s feelings changed from nervous to confident. One wrote:

“Gerald’s feelings changed from nervous to confident because he believed in himself.”

Their confidence wasn’t limited to paper. During discussions, I heard learners using SRSD’s self-talk strategies naturally: “I can do this!” “It’s okay, try again!” These weren’t teacher prompts anymore—they were authentic, student-driven affirmations.

From “We Write Together” to “I Can Do This!”

What I’ve learned most through this process is that independence doesn’t mean doing it all alone—it’s built step by step through modeling, guided practice, and shared success.

During our earlier writing cycles, we planned and organized together. But now, when it’s time to write, my learners take charge. They have the tools, the strategies, and—most importantly—the belief in themselves.

That’s the magic of SRSD. It doesn’t just teach students how to write—it teaches them who they are as writers. And that confidence spills into every subject, every challenge, and every success that follows.

I’m still learning and growing through this process, but I’m so grateful for the shift it has created in my classroom. If you’d like to learn more about Think SRSD, visit thinksrsd.com.

Because when our learners truly believe in themselves, the words—and the confidence—flow naturally.

Simplicity in Classroom Management

Moving Toward Simplicity

Over the years, I’ve tried many different classroom management strategies. I’ve used “Mystery Person,” class vs. teacher games, and a handful of other tricks to keep motivation high. Some of them worked for a season, others fizzled out.

But as the years have passed, I’ve found myself leaning toward simplicity. Instead of layering on more systems and competitions, I want my learners to grow from a foundation that is clear, consistent, and meaningful.

Many of the routines I use today are not mine alone—they are ideas I’ve learned from other brave educators who share their practice. By trying, adapting, and making them our own, my students and I have found rhythms that help us feel safe, connected, and ready to learn.

For us, that begins with our class promise. For more information about how we co-create this, see my last post: Creating Community Through Class Names and Promises Each morning we recite it together, and it sets the tone for how we will treat one another and approach learning:

Today and every day,
We promise to…
Show kind hearts,
Make safe choices,
Grow strong minds,
Be joyful,
And never give up!

Can we do it?
Yes we can!

The expectation is simple: we all work together to keep this promise.

Three Simple Routines That Anchor Our Day

Alongside our promise, I’ve added three small but powerful routines that help us connect, regulate, and reflect.

1. Morning Question during Registration
As we settle in for the day, each student responds to a morning question. It could be something light—“What’s your favorite fruit?”—or something more reflective—“What makes a good friend?” Everyone answers in a complete sentence, giving us daily practice in speaking and listening. To support learners, I display sentence starters as scaffolds.

This routine not only builds community and confidence, it also ensures every voice is heard first thing in the morning. Here’s my template of morning questions if you’d like to try this routine with your class. If you are looking for another perspective on how this might work in your class, another fantastic resource comes from Betsy, who share ideas from her ELA classroom on her site: Now Spark Creativity.

2. A Mindful Minute after Recess
Every day after recess, we pause for one mindful minute. Together, we practice calming breathing techniques. Without regular practice, we wouldn’t know how to use these tools when we truly need them—during moments of frustration, conflict, or stress. By weaving mindfulness into our daily rhythm, learners gradually build resilience and self-regulation.

3. Reflective End-of-Day Questions
At the close of the day, we reflect together using a practice I learned from educator and author Pernille Ripp. Here is a link to her post. She offers simple reflective questions that remind us:

We can always grow and change.
We don’t have to be perfect.
We care about one another.
Tomorrow is another chance.

Ending the day this way shifts the focus from perfection to progress and community.

Why It Matters

Classroom management doesn’t need to be complicated. For me, it’s no longer about systems or rewards—it’s about anchoring our days with routines that build trust, language, regulation, and reflection.

When students know that we begin with a question, anchor ourselves with a promise, pause with mindfulness, and close with reflection, they feel both safe and seen. These small daily rhythms help us remember that learning is a journey—and that we are always growing together.

Call To Action

🌱 Many of the routines I use today—our morning questions, mindful minutes, and end-of-day reflections—come from the generosity of other brave educators who shared their practice. I’m so grateful for their inspiration.

👉 What small routines shape your classroom community? Share them in the comments or tag me—I’d love to keep learning alongside you.

Creating Community Through Class Names and Promises

From Endings to Beginnings

At the end of last school year, I wrote about some of the traditions I use to close our year together. Afterwards, several people asked me to share some ideas for the beginning of the year. So here it is—a practice that has become a cornerstone of how I build community with my learners: creating a class name and a class promise. Like all good educators, I learn from others. These traditions are something I learned from my friend and former colleague, Ria, who inspired me to make class names and class promise a part of our classroom culture.

The Hummingbird Story

I like to start with a story that has shaped me since childhood. Wangari Maathai, founder of the Greenbelt Movement in Kenya, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and my neighbor when I was growing up, often told the parable of the hummingbird.

In the story, a forest is on fire. The big animals stand by, helpless and afraid, while the tiny hummingbird flies back and forth, dropping water on the flames one beakful at a time. The hummingbird says, “I am doing the best I can.”

This story inspires us to think about the qualities we want to embody as a class—small but mighty, resilient, and purposeful. Together, we begin to collect adjectives that describe how we want to be.

Choosing Our Class Name

From there, we make a list of animals. Through discussion, debate, and voting, we narrow our choices down until we land on a combination of one adjective and one animal.

Past classes have been The Helpful Hummingbirds and The Joyful Trying Turtles. This year, after much excitement and thoughtful talk, we proudly became The Kind Foxes.

A class name may sound simple, but it gives learners a powerful sense of identity. It’s something that brings us together as a learning community.

Making Our Class Promise

Alongside our name, we also create a class promise. It’s not a list of rules—it’s our shared commitment to how we want to live and learn together. This year’s promise is:

Reciting our promise as a morning chant has become a meaningful ritual. It’s something I first learned during my grade 1 teaching days with Ria, and I’ve carried it with me ever since. Saying it together each day helps anchor our sense of community and it’s a daily reminder for our learners that they helped build the foundation of our classroom community.

Linking to the 4Cs

What I love about this process is how naturally it connects to the 4Cs: Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, and Critical Thinking.

Creativity – Learners brainstorm fun, meaningful class names.
Collaboration – Learners work together to refine the promise until it represents everyone.
Communication – They discuss, debate, and practice explaining their ideas respectfully.
Critical Thinking – Learners reflect on which behaviors truly matter for making school safe, joyful, and successful.

The result isn’t just words on a wall. It’s a shared agreement that guides our choices and builds trust, day after day.

Why It Matters

When children feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves, they rise to the expectations they’ve helped to create. Our class name and promise become an anchor, shaping not only the way we treat each other but also the way we approach learning challenges together.

And as the year unfolds, I hear students whispering to each other: “Remember, we promised to keep trying.” That’s when I know it’s working.

Catching the Gingerbread Kid: Building Community in Week One

The first week of school is always full of excitement, energy, and (let’s be honest) a little nervousness too. This year, to help my second graders get to know their new school spaces and begin building a sense of community, we went on a very special adventure: a Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt.

The Gingerbread Kid Runs Away!

On Day 1, we discovered that our Gingerbread Kid had “escaped” from the classroom. The students’ task? Follow the trail of rhyming clues through the school to see if they could catch it. Along the way, they visited important places like the bathroom, computer lab, and more. Students learned where to go if they’re not feeling well, where they can check out a book, where the instruments live, and even where to find the people who help make our school run smoothly.

From my perspective as their teacher, the hunt gave me valuable insights too. I could see who felt confident in their reading abilities, who was able to comprehend the clues, and who needed a little extra support. It was also the perfect opportunity to set expectations about how we move through the school and to practice our procedures together.

Sweet Beginnings

Of course, the Gingerbread Kid eventually “returned” to class, but not before leaving behind a special plan. On Day 2, we would share a cookie treat together. To make sure everyone was included safely, I became that teacher who gave “homework” on the very first day—a short permission slip for families to sign. This slip not only covered allergy considerations, but also gave parents a peek into our first-week fun. To my delight, every slip was returned, and it became the perfect chance to introduce another important routine: how we handle homework in our class.

Why It Matters

The scavenger hunt wasn’t just about finding crumbs and catching a cookie—it was about creating shared memories right from the start. Students laughed, collaborated, and built confidence as they learned their way around the school. They also got to meet staff members they might not otherwise see in the first week, which helps them feel more connected to the whole school community.

When we finally sat down together with our cookies, it wasn’t just a snack. It was a moment of belonging.

Looking Ahead

These little traditions—playful stories, scavenger hunts, and shared treats—lay the groundwork for a year of learning together. They remind us that community is built not only in lessons and standards, but also in the joyful, unexpected adventures that we share along the way.

Try It in Your Classroom!

Want to run your own Gingerbread Hunt? I’ve put together a Canva file with:

Editable clue cards 🍪
Labels for your clue envelopes ✉️
A cookie permission slip ✅

You can grab it here: [Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt Canva Link]

Feel free to copy, customize, and make it your own—your students will love the chase, and you’ll love how it builds community from day one.

From Sunday Scaries to Canva Calm: How My Planning Has Evolved Over 20+ Years

When I first started teaching (over 20 years ago!), planning felt like a weekly mountain to climb. I remember dreading that Sunday afternoon feeling—the looming pressure of submitting weekly plans to the headmaster using a rigid template. It was time-consuming and exhausting, especially as I started my family. I often felt like I was on a hamster wheel, trying to stay ahead but never really feeling caught up.

My first international teaching role marked a big shift. For the first time, I was planning as part of a team. We held weekly meetings to map out the “big bones” of each unit, but the day-to-day planning was entirely up to me. I was handed a paper planning book (which I don’t think I ever really used) and left to figure things out. While the process was supposed to be collaborative, it didn’t always feel that way. I was still finding my footing, often planning day by day.

Over time, though, I developed my own systems—each shaped by the incredible colleagues I’ve worked with along the way. One of my favorite collaborative experiences was in Kindergarten. My teammate and I pushed each other creatively and professionally, and together we created something truly magical. That year, we used Google Sheets to plan together—an approach I continued to use for several years. For the first time, I felt like I could plan ahead and reclaim my Sundays.

Around that time, I also started using a bullet journal to keep myself organized. It didn’t hold lesson plans, but it was a lifeline for everything else. Then I moved into Grade 2 and found myself creating teaching slides to use with my projector. What began as simple Google Slides gradually evolved into beautiful tabbed digital notebooks.

When COVID hit, those skills became essential. I created virtual classrooms in Google Slides for each subject and linked all learning activities directly within them. I archived each week’s lessons—and while it was a massive amount of work, it brought clarity and consistency to a very chaotic time.

Two years later, I moved into Grade 1 and had another amazing year of collaboration. My new co-teacher was a paper planner and insisted we have our planning done by Friday afternoon. It was refreshing to step back from the screen a bit, and I found myself using my bullet journal more creatively again—something I’d missed.

Then I moved to Tajikistan and tried using a traditional teacher planner. That lasted about a year before I returned to my trusty digital tabs in Google Slides. But instead of a deck for each subject, I began combining everything into a single slide deck each week. I also experimented with exporting my planner to Goodnotes, but that phase didn’t last long either.

Now, as I head into a new academic year, I’m excited about a fresh chapter in my planning journey. I’m bringing together everything I’ve learned—tools, strategies, aesthetics, and inspiration from amazing educators—into one space: @Canva’s new Visual Suite 2.0.

In Canva, I can organize my entire planner with Docs, Sheets, Presentations, and more—and make it beautiful. It’s intuitive, flexible, and visually satisfying. I shared a sneak peek on my new Instagram account, @honor_learners, and in a Canva Educator Facebook group, and I was thrilled by the positive response.

So here I am, sharing my journey and offering a fully customizable version of my planner to anyone who might find it helpful. Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or just starting out, I hope it inspires you to find a system that works for you—one that supports your creativity, helps you plan ahead, and maybe even lets you enjoy your Sunday afternoons again.

Ready to try a planning system that works for you?
✨ Click here for a link to a fully customizable version of my Canva Academic Planner
💬 I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and let me know: how has your planning evolved over the years?

Between Borders and Bites: Embracing Identity Through Food

International Day is one of my favorite events at school. It’s a vibrant celebration of diversity, where the hallways come alive with national dress, languages, and—of course—unforgettable food from around the world. But for those of us who identify as “third culture kids” or global nomads, it can stir up deeper questions. Where do I belong? Do I represent my Pakistani heritage, though I’ve never lived there? Kenya, the land of my birth and childhood, but not my citizenship? Britain, my passport country, which I haven’t called home in over a decade? Or the countries that have shaped my adult life—Mozambique, where my children’s memories are rooted, or Tajikistan, where we now live?

This year, I’ve decided to embrace Africa—a continent that still holds a piece of my heart. And I’m sharing two recipes that have become part of my own global story: mandazis from Kenya and a fiery peri-peri sauce inspired by Mozambique. Like me, these recipes are a blend of many places, adjusted by memory, mood, and what’s in the cupboard.

Mandazis – Coastal Kenya’s Coconut Doughnuts

Fifteenish years ago, I was living in the UK, homesick for the tastes and sounds of my childhood. I craved something familiar—Mandazis, the moreish, coconut-infused doughnuts from the Swahili coast. My children, excited at the mention of “doughnuts,” were expecting sprinkles. Instead, they got my determined (and slightly chaotic) attempt at recreating a taste of home.

After a phone call to my mother, scrolling through random websites, and experimenting in the kitchen, I came up with this version. My first attempt flopped—I hadn’t let the dough rest long enough. But I persisted. And in the end, we sat around the table, warm mandazis in hand, and laughed.

Here’s the recipe that finally worked:

Mandazis

1 ½ cups plain flour
½ cup sugar
Seeds of 3 cardamom pods, crushed
½ tsp fast-acting yeast
A handful of desiccated coconut (if you have it…)
½ cup coconut milk (I used low-fat because that’s what I had!)

Method:

Mix all ingredients and knead until you get a soft, pliable dough. Add a little more flour if it feels too sticky.
Rub some oil on your hands, form the dough into a ball, cover it, and let it rest overnight (or, if you’re like me dump it into an oiled bag and refrigerate the dough after allowing it to rise at room temperature for an hour.)
The next morning, divide into 3 portions. Roll each into a circle about 1 cm thick and cut into quarters.
Let the triangular-ish bits of dough rise for another 10 minutes (or longer if you’re patient).
Deep fry in hot oil until golden and puffy.
Enjoy warm. (Sprinkles still not included.)

Peri-Peri Sauce – Mozambique’s Fiery Flavor

Now, let’s clear up a common misconception: peri-peri sauce isn’t South African in origin. While a certain chicken franchise may have made it globally famous, the sauce actually comes from Mozambique—and many of those franchise chillies are still grown there!

This recipe, like my mandazis, is more of a story than a strict list. It’s a blend of instinct, memory, and trial and error. In the last few months before departing Mozambique, I brought a jar of this homemade sauce to a friend’s braai, or BBQ to anyone outside of Southern Africa, and she immediately asked for the recipe. So, I scribbled it down as best as I could.

Here it is—messy, spicy, and totally delicious:

Peri-Peri Sauce

1 red bell pepper/capsicum, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
4–5 garlic cloves
1 inch-ish piece of ginger
3–5 red bird’s eye chilies (or green chillies if that’s what’s available)
2ish tablespoons chopped cilantro/coriander
Salt (1 tsp), pepper (½ tsp), chili flakes (½ tsp), oregano (½ tsp), basil (½ tsp) – adjust to taste
1 bay leaf
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
⅓ cup white wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
½ cup olive oil
2 tsp tomato paste

Method:

Blend everything until smooth.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.
Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t burn.
Blend again for a silky finish.

Bringing International Day to Life

To help make the day even more festive and interactive, I also created a customizable Country Bingo template for students and families to enjoy. (Credit to the original Canva template by Zuzel that I adapted and made my own.) It’s a fun way to engage with the diversity around us.

If you’re decorating your space, I’ve also made International Day letters filled with world flags—perfect for bulletin boards, banners, or student displays.

As I prepare to celebrate International Day once again, I’m reminded that identity isn’t always something that fits neatly into borders or checkboxes. Sometimes it’s found in the familiar smell of cardamom, the sizzle of dough in hot oil, or the slow burn of a homemade sauce shared with friends. These small things—the bites, the spices, the stories—help me feel rooted, even when I’m unsure where “home” truly is. If you find yourself between cultures too, maybe you’ll find a little comfort in these recipes.

Canva in the Classroom: Learning to Create, Creating to Learn

I want to begin by sincerely thanking everyone who supported me as I took the first step in sharing this blog more publicly. I’ve been incredibly moved by the kind messages and encouragement I’ve received—especially from friends and colleagues around the world. Your responses have truly humbled me and reminded me how powerful it is to share and connect through our work.

It’s moments like these that remind me of the quote in my email signature: Ubuntu – I am, because we are. This journey has never been just mine—it’s been shaped and strengthened by the community around me.

One message I received suggested I consider becoming a consultant. I had to smile at that—because it’s taken me seven years just to say out loud that I’ve been blogging! I’m not quite ready for that next step. Honestly, I find so much joy working with my students and supporting our school’s goals (and yes, sometimes gently encouraging us to stretch our goals and think bigger).

This week, a colleague stopped me in the hallway and told me how much she had learned from one of my recent ideas. She’d tried the clock matching game I shared with her own daughter—who had been struggling to tell time. It helped make the concept click for her in a fun and playful way. Moments like these are what keep me motivated.

Some colleagues have asked how I know so much about Canva. The truth is, I’ve been a Canva Pro subscriber for seven years—and I didn’t use it much at first. My real Canva learning curve came through my role as MSA Communications Lead, where I used it to create social media posts, newsletters, and content for our website.

I’ve also had access to Canva for Education for the last two years, but it’s only recently that I’ve started using it more and more in my teaching—to create worksheets, games, and other learning resources. I’ve been inspired by amazing educators who generously share their knowledge on social media—if Instagram offered PD certificates, I’d be drowning in them! One of the educators I’ve learned so much from is @teresakwant. She shares amazing Teacher Canva Hacks that have saved me time and sparked new ideas for my classroom.

Now I’m venturing into creating interactive lessons within Canva, and it feels like I’m finally unlocking its full potential—not just as a design tool, but as a powerful learning platform. This week, I stumbled upon a lesson from Canva’s Design School on creating persuasive posters (link here), which was a perfect fit for what my students are working on as they take action in their Cultural Studies class.

At first, I thought about sending my students directly to the Canva Design School course—but they’re only seven years old, and navigating the platform that way felt too complex. I looked for the lesson inside Canva for Education but couldn’t find it. So, I decided to recreate it myself as a lesson in our Canva Classroom.

This Canva Help article guided me through the process. I couldn’t find the video in the Canva YouTube app because this lesson launched this week, so I took a screenshot of the video, put it in a presentation and linked the video to that instead. I added “_popup” after “watch” and before the “?” in the URL to change the viewing experience to a fullscreen without distractions. Next, I added the lesson resources as solo work activities, so Canva automatically created copies for each student.

The next day, I introduced the lesson to my class and told them we’d be learning from a guest teacher—Mrs. Bel. I showed them the course in Canva Design School and explained that we’d be following the same course in our Canva Classroom. We watched the video together and practiced essential design skills—like changing font sizes, adding and resizing images, working with layers, and applying design styles. They especially loved exploring the different font styles and color combinations—it was the perfect opportunity to remind them how important it is to make design choices that match the theme and purpose of their poster.

The following day, I modelled how to change the poster template that was shared. After all, our students learn best when we model how to use technology with purpose and care. I was later able to add the poster model to the lesson as a view-only resource, so learners had access to an example as a visual support.

Students then began creating their own persuasive posters using the skills they had learned. What I loved most was how the structure allowed students to work at their own pace, sharing their solo work with me before moving on. I could give timely feedback and ask for edits or mark their work as complete.

This experience reminded me how important it is to set high expectations and explicitly teach the tools and techniques learners need to succeed. Instead of simply asking students to “make a poster,” we gave them the vocabulary, modeling, and guided practice to do it with purpose and confidence. For my early finishers, I awarded an “expert” badge and gave them the chance to become peer helpers—a proud moment for them and a big help to me!

There was so much great learning packed into this experience. With permission, I’m sharing one student’s poster below. I’m so proud of the creativity, effort, and confidence I saw in my students this week.

Thank you again for being part of this journey with me. I’m learning right alongside my students—and that’s the best part.

From Idea to Interactive: Bringing Learning to Life with Canva Code (and saving precious teacher time too!)

If you had told me a year ago that I’d be coding my own games for class, I probably would have laughed. My experience with coding has been fairly limited: introducing my young students to Scratch Jr., and during lockdown, diving into creating Pixel Art Reveals using Google Sheets – a skill I picked up through many helpful YouTube tutorials and online workshops offered by generous educators. Since then, I’ve admired the potential of educational tech, engaging with it in various ways, but coding felt like a different realm – until recently, when Canva Code offered an opportunity to step back in.

With no real coding experience, I started small: a matching game to review telling time, connecting analogue clocks with digital time. I designed it with three levels of increasing difficulty, and to make it even more engaging, I added a Pac-Man style reward game after each level. In true coding spirit, the game took several iterations to get right—and I quickly learned the value of thorough testing before sharing with students. But the result? It felt like pure magic. My students were genuinely engaged, and their excitement inspired me to keep going.

Next, I created a 2D shape matching game, where students matched shape names with their attribute descriptions. I was inspired by Classnotes with Nicole (I recommend checking out her blog because she shares a free guide to creating Canva Code games and her EASY prompt is really helpful). It was a simpler build—time was tight—but it worked beautifully as a review tool, especially for my multilingual learners who benefit so much from that extra vocabulary support. Seeing them light up as they successfully matched the visuals with the words just hammered home what I already knew: games aren’t just a bit of fun; they’re seriously powerful learning tools in disguise.

With two games under my belt, I wanted to try something new. As we approach the end of the year, building confidence in mental math is a key focus. So I asked Canva Code to help me create a 2-player tic-tac-toe game—with a twist. Before each move, students must solve a 2-digit addition or subtraction problem (within 100). Get it right, take your turn. Get it wrong, skip your turn. First to three in a row wins.

Now, the first attempt wasn’t exactly flawless – sneaky players could still try to click on a spot that was already taken. So, back to Canva Code I went, and like magic, it was fixed! Then, because every winner deserves a celebration, I added a burst of confetti for the champion and a clear, friendly landing page with all the instructions. The whole thing came together in under 20 minutes. Seriously! It’s quick, totally tailored to what my students need, and reusable – a far cry from those elaborate escape rooms I used to spend hours crafting that got played exactly once.

The amazing Canva Code – along with a whole bunch of other super cool new features – will be released very soon! In fact, I even saw a post today hinting that some users (beyond the original first million) might already have access! It’s genuinely thrilling to think about how many more educators will soon have these incredible tools at their fingertips, making it so easy to design, tweak, and bring their awesome classroom ideas to life.

In the meantime, if you’re curious to see what I’ve created so far, feel free to dive in:

🎯 Memory Game for Teaching Time
🔷 2D Shapes Matching Game
➕➖ Addition & Subtraction Tic-Tac-Toe

This shift has been more than just practical—it’s been empowering. Canva Code has allowed me to build games tailored to my learners’ needs, in real time. And the best part? Their reactions. One student said it best:

“I wonder what she’ll ask Canva to code next?”

Learning is fun. And when I’m learning alongside my students, it becomes something even more powerful: joyful, shared discovery.

Unlocking Deeper Learning: The Power of App Smashing and AI in an elementary classroom

Technology is constantly evolving, and AI is undoubtedly here to stay. As educators, it’s our responsibility to remain perpetual learners, not just to keep pace but to empower our students to make informed choices and utilize technology effectively. I firmly believe that by modeling this behavior of continuous learning and a willingness to adapt, the learners I encounter will be inspired to cultivate the same crucial skills.

In my previous post, I shared our initial explorations into the world of AI and app smashing, detailing how we creatively combined Magic Student, Seesaw, and Book Creator. Today, I’m excited to delve into our next adventure: how we harnessed the power of Canva and Magic Student to plan and teach a poetry unit that culminated in a truly engaging Poetry Video Podcast.

Planning and Presentation with Canva AI:

Inspired by the free “Canva AI in the Classroom” course, I used the AI features within Canva to create two key poetry lessons: one focusing on the visual form of Shape Poetry and another exploring the concise structure of Haikus. For our Shape Poetry lesson, we the fascinating world of spirals after reading a captivating nonfiction book highlighting their presence in the environment.

To take it one step further, I asked Canva to help create presentations based on these lesson plans. This saved valuable preparation time and provided visually engaging materials tailored to the concepts we were exploring.

Empowering Student Choice with Magic Student’s Poetry Room:

These are the Magic Student Tools that were included in our Poetry Room. If you are a Magic School AI user, I have shared a template to the room below.

As my second graders prepared to embark on their own poetic journeys, I introduced them to a dedicated “Poetry Room” within Magic Student. This digital space offered them agency and support in their creative process. Some students eagerly utilized the Idea Generator to spark initial concepts for their poems, while others astutely used it for feedback on their developing ideas. This demonstrated a wonderful early development of their metacognitive skills as writers, making informed choices about the support they needed.

Collaborative Creation in Canva Classroom:

This is the template we created together using an exemplar haiku I wrote. We learned how to add a background, use text effects and layer elements, including text.

The next stage involved bringing their poetic words to life visually using Canva. We began by collaboratively creating a template within Canva. This was a fantastic opportunity to explicitly teach them how to utilize text effects and layer elements, fostering an understanding of design principles for a more polished final product. Once our shared template was established, I duplicated it for each student and assigned it through Canva Classroom. This allowed us to work simultaneously within the same slide deck, fostering a sense of community and shared creation. It was inspiring to witness the diverse ways students chose to enhance their poems visually. Some experimented with AI image generators within Canva, while others carefully selected graphics or photographs that resonated with their poetic themes.

Unexpected Inspiration: From Slides to Sound:

Our initial plan was to conclude the project with their visually rich poetry slides. However, during our Spring break, I dedicated an hour to exploring the “What’s new in Canva – March edition” webinar. This proved to be an unexpectedly transformative moment! I was particularly excited by the demonstration of Canva’s enhanced video and audio features, sparking an idea to take our poetry project a step further – into the realm of video podcasts.

Creating Poetry Video Podcasts:

Upon our return from the break, I found moments when learners were focused on independent learning to record each learner for our podcast. Using my MacBook’s microphone and Canva’s remarkable new “enhance audio” feature, we captured their voices reading their poetry and sharing their knowledge of poetry. The result was truly impressive – despite the recording taking place within a busy classroom environment, the enhanced audio clarity made it sound as if we were in a professional recording studio!

The journey of our poetry unit, from initial brainstorming with Magic Student to the creation of engaging video podcasts in Canva, has been a testament to the power of integrating AI and innovative digital tools. It’s been inspiring to witness my second graders not only deepen their understanding of poetry but also develop their digital literacy and creative expression in such dynamic ways.

And thanks to Canva’s Visual Suite 2.0, launched just last week, I can easily share all the diverse materials created throughout this unit – planning notes, Canva presentations, and an excerpt from the final video podcast – all within one easily accessible slide deck.

Now, I’d love to hear from you! How are you exploring the possibilities of AI and app smashing in your elementary classroom? What creative projects are you and your students embarking on? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments below – let’s continue to learn and grow together in this exciting era of educational technology!

Empowering Young Writers: AI and App Smashing in the Elementary Classroom

A year ago, I shared my initial foray into incorporating AI in education, moving from skepticism to a sense of pioneering spirit (you can read about it here: https://honorlearners.com/2024/02/18/from-skeptic-to-pioneer-my-journey-into-incorporating-ai-in-education/). Today, I’m thrilled to share how I brought the power of AI to my 2nd-grade learners through an engaging app smash using Magic School AI, Seesaw, and Book Creator. This experience not only boosted their writing skills but also ignited their curiosity and creativity.

The Power of Each App: A Quick Recap

Seesaw: Our digital hub, fostering student portfolios, reflection, and family communication.

Magic School AI: The educator’s ally, providing AI-powered tools for lesson planning, resource generation, and personalized feedback.

Book Creator: The creative canvas, empowering students to design and publish their own digital books.

Our App Smash Journey: Step by Step

Igniting Curiosity with Magic School AI:

We began by tapping into Magic School AI’s Informational Text tool. Our learners chose a variety of topics that sparked their interest, and Magic School AI generated informational texts that served as a springboard for their learning. This step not only provided valuable content but also demonstrated how AI can be a powerful research tool.

Research, Note-Taking, and Drafting:

After absorbing the AI-generated texts, the learners delved deeper, conducting further research and taking detailed notes. They then crafted their own informational texts, demonstrating their understanding of the topics.

Seesaw: The Digital Drafting Space:

Learners typed their drafts into Seesaw, saving them as works in progress. Seesaw’s versatility allowed them to easily revise and refine their writing. It also documented the writing process, allowing families to see the steps we took to edit and revise our writing.

Magic Student: AI-Powered Revision and Feedback:

This is where the magic truly happened. I launched a Magic Student room with three key tools: Text Proofreader, Writing Feedback, and the Raina Chatbot. To ensure feedback was aligned with our learning objectives, I uploaded a copy of our writing rubric. I shared the link to the Magic Student room in Seesaw, and learners used their tech code names (color, animal, number) to protect their identity. What’s particularly powerful about the Magic Student room is the transparency it offers teachers. Teachers can see how learners are interacting with each of the tools, identifying areas where they excel and where they needed additional support. As it was the first time, our learners were using Magic Student, and navigating multiple tabs, the following steps were done with my support. After all, they are only 7!

Text Proofreader:

Learners copied their text from Seesaw into the Text Proofreader, receiving instant feedback on grammar and spelling. We duplicated the page in Seesaw and pasted the feedback, allowing students to make direct edits. As they edited, I provided targeted instruction on spelling patterns and grammatical rules.

Writing Feedback:

Learners then copied their edited text into the Writing Feedback tool, which provided constructive feedback on the strengths and areas for growth in their writing. This feedback was copied into Seesaw, and used as a guide for revision.

Raina Chatbot:

We used a combination of the Writing Feedback tool and the Raina Chatbot to revise sections of their text, focusing on enhancing vocabulary and adding descriptive details. Some learners even expanded their texts by adding new paragraphs based on the feedback they received.

A side note: If you want more information about writing tools that can be used to support learners in Magic School Student, check out this recent Webinar hosted by both Magic School AI and Book Creator. It was inspiring enough for me to take the free Book Creator Certified Author course.

Book Creator: Publishing Our Informational Books:

With their revised texts in hand, learners copied their work into Book Creator. They then transformed their writing into beautifully designed digital books, adding images and multimedia elements. Some learners went above and beyond, incorporating tables of contents and glossaries.

Seesaw: Sharing Our Published Works:

As published authors, learners proudly shared their digital books with their families via Seesaw. We downloaded them as PDFs, uploaded them to Seesaw and added the published book link to the first page. We also shared our books by reading them to a younger class, which was a very rewarding experience.

This app smash journey had a profound impact on my 2nd-grade learners. They experienced firsthand the power of AI as a valuable tool for both learning and creativity. The learners developed a deeper understanding of the writing process, moving beyond simple drafting to engage in meaningful revision and refinement. They gained confidence in their ability to use technology to enhance their learning, becoming more comfortable and proficient with digital tools. Furthermore, they learned valuable lessons about digital citizenship, understanding the importance of protecting their identity online while engaging with AI platforms.

This experience reinforced several key takeaways regarding the integration of AI in elementary education. Firstly, AI can be a valuable and accessible tool for even young learners, fostering creativity and critical thinking. Secondly, app smashing, when thoughtfully planned, creates engaging and meaningful learning experiences that resonate with learners. Finally, providing clear guidance, support, and a structured framework is essential for the successful integration of AI, ensuring that students can maximize its benefits while navigating potential challenges.

I sincerely encourage you to explore the vast possibilities of AI within your own classroom. Take the leap and experiment with app smashing, discovering firsthand how it can transform your teaching practices and enrich your students’ learning experiences. Share your own AI integration stories in the comments below, fostering a community of educators who are passionate about leveraging technology to empower the next generation of learners. Let’s continue to learn from each other and push the boundaries of educational innovation.