🗑 End of year series, part 1: Brain boosts

🎨 Bring More Creativity + Collaboration into Your Classroom with FigJam

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• Introduction to FigJam in the K12 Classroom. A hands-on intro to FigJam for the classroom - covering the basics of FigJam’s tools, and how to use them in the classroom. RSVP here.

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💻 TECH TIP 💻

🖼 How to download images out of a Google Doc

Ever receive a Google Doc with images and think, “How can I save those images?”

You can’t … right? Right?!?!

Actually you CAN save images out of a Google Doc.

I shared a video on TikTok (I’m @ditchthattextbook if you want to follow!) about it.

Here’s how:

1. Open the document.

2. Go to File > Download as > Web page (.html, zipped)

3. Open the new folder (and unzip it if you need to)

4. Open the folder inside called “images”

You’re done. Enjoy your images!

💡 THE BIG IDEA 💡

🧠 8 easy brain boosts for state testing time

🏁 End of year series: Part 1 of 6 🏁

Your students might take state tests at the end of the year.

Maybe you give them final exams or end-of-course assessments.

No matter what it is, at the end of the year, we hope that students remember what they learned throughout the year.

Thankfully, you don’t have to base it on hope!

Instead, let’s base it on cognitive science. Research shows us how the brain prefers to learn — what makes learning stick, what makes it easiest to retrieve and recall what we’ve learned.

In today’s post — 8 easy brain boosts for state testing time — we outline eight research-backed suggestions to prime your students’ brains for state tests or end-of-year exams.

Read the post … or check out the infographic below … or just keep scrolling and we’ll give you the quick summary of all eight.

1. Use retrieval to lock learning in long-term: Encouraging students to recall what they know — instead of rereading — significantly boosts memory retention. Even simple, open-ended questions like “What do you remember about...?” can spark powerful retrieval practice.

2. Mix up question types with interleaving: Mixing different types of problems in a study session (interleaving) helps deepen understanding and memory. Just like a pitcher varies pitches, learners benefit from varied practice rather than repetitive drills.

3. Instead of cramming, space out practice: Spreading study sessions out over time creates stronger, longer-lasting learning than cramming. Even delaying review after class slightly can improve memory retention.

4. Happiness is powerful: Students perform better when they’re happier — positivity boosts creativity, problem-solving, and performance. Building joy into the day isn’t fluff; it’s brain science.

5. Time of day matters: Different people have peak brain performance at different times — larks in the morning, owls in the evening. Schedule important tasks, like tests, when students are naturally more alert.

6. Soak up the sun: Morning sunlight helps regulate brain chemicals that increase alertness and reduce sluggishness. A dose of sun is a simple and natural brain boost.

7. Breaks are essential: Short breaks before big tasks, like exams, can lead to big gains in performance — especially for struggling students. A 30-minute break can be as beneficial as adding weeks of classroom time.

8. Get up and move, move, move: Frequent movement, even short walks, boosts focus, creativity, and brain health more than long seated study sessions. Just five minutes of walking each hour can make a big difference.

👋 How we can help

There are even more ways I can support you in the important work you do in education:

1. Read one of my six books about meaningful teaching with tech.

2. Take one of our online courses about practical and popular topics in education.

3. Bring me to your school, district or event to speak. I love working with educators!