Paper Less?

Strange tidings, but it begs reminding.

As we delve deeper into another potential environmental impact with the everyday use of AI tools,

let's find one problem that's a little more in our own control to fight: paper usage.

Before you get mad at your coworker who left the paper jam in the copier at 7:27 am,

or your paper allowance budget that matches your checking account after Cyber Monday,

try to 📉 reduce, 🔁 reuse, and 🤔 rethink.

3️⃣ ways to reduce today! ⬇️

Go digital whenever you can for assignments, worksheets, and readings. Posting assignments in a learning-management system like Schoology instead of printing saves paper and makes distribution easier. And don't worry, teachers of the youngest, there's an Elementary Experience to make Schoology easier for them!
Utilize email, Remind, or Google Forms for parent sign-ups and announcements.
Upload and convert old PDF worksheets into fillable digital documents using Kami to keep valuable content paperless.

🐦 The GOOS is loose (or collected?)! 🪶

Repurpose single-sided or lightly used paper for scratch work, drafts, note-taking, especially for homework notes, brain-storming, practice problems, or informal writing.

And make it fun with GOOS! It refers to "Good On One Side" paper, which is paper that has been used on one side but still has a blank side that can be used for notes, drafts, or other tasks before it is recycled.

Check out some of the fun ways Canadian teachers have made reusing paper more fun!

👾 Now, we are getting into the tech. 📜

Adopt a “paperless-first” classroom culture: treat paper as the exception, not the default. Use digital workflows for assignments, submissions, feedback, and communication.

Make that quiz in Wayground. It'll easily convert it in a few minutes, and then score it.
Encourage collaboration between students, not just you, in Google Drive.
And, Google Slides? You can do nearly any classroom task with Slides. Check out some new ideas!

Schedule a time!

I'm happy to discuss, plan, and co-teach!

A one-stop history shop for maps, 3D model, and and AI assistant for credible sources!

Tired of playing Wikipedia Whack-a-Mole, or constantly searching for high-quality visuals that aren't grainy clip art from 2003 that someone converted from a Ken Burns VHS?

Check out World History Encyclopedia for Education!

This site is a gold mine because it includes a dedicated Education section packed with free Teaching Materials, curated Primary Sources, and Curated Collections for entire wars and swaths of time. Their Media Library is a life-saver, featuring thousands of images, videos, and 3D models!

One of their coolest features is their Perplexity-powered History AI that will explain a concept and lead to credible sources

Totally free and supported by a non-profit!

McStumble

Yes, that's the name of the site.

Tons of free tools, but one is my favorites is the Fake Text Message Generator!

How can I use it?

Create fictional dialogues between literary or historical figures to analyze character motivations, plot events, or historical perspectives.
Model appropriate digital communication and ethical dilemmas for discussions on digital citizenship and social interactions.
Vocabulary, math problems, or factual errors within a realistic text message format

Download it as an image!