What if math could feel like play? 🎲 In this inspiring episode, mathematician and educator Dan Finkel—founder of Math for Love—joins Vicki Davis, the Cool Cat Teacher, to explore how curiosity, productive struggle, and play can make math more meaningful and fun for every learner.

Discover how to start math lessons with questions, why struggle builds deeper understanding, and how to help students fall in love with problem-solving again. Perfect for teachers, parents, and anyone who wants to make learning joyful.

📘 Show Notes & Links: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e919

🧲 Sponsor:
Today's episode is sponsored by Clixo—the award-winning magnetic play system that turns 2D shapes into endless 3D creations! Perfect for makerspaces, STEM labs, and creative kids at home. See https://www.clixo.com/pages/target/

🎧 Subscribe and listen to more episodes of the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Dr. Catlin Tucker, bestselling author and blended learning expert, joins Vicki Davis to talk about how teachers can design better lessons with AI—without losing their essential human touch. From universal design for learning (UDL) to creating meaningful student choice, Dr. Tucker explains how AI can elevate lesson planning when used with intentionality and creativity. They discuss the limits of "AI lesson generators," what true differentiation looks like, and why great teaching still depends on relationships, empathy, and design thinking.

Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Clixo, an award-winning magnetic play system that inspires creativity in classrooms and makerspaces. These flexible magnetic pieces let students design, build, and explore endless 3D creations—perfect for STEAM labs, centers, or travel. Learn more at https://www.clixo.com/pages/target

Listen and explore:

• How to use AI for meaningful lesson planning
• What teachers should not automate
• Building lessons that honor every learner's strengths
• The enduring value of teachers in an AI-driven world

Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e918

Teaching writing can feel challenging in today's world of short attention spans and AI-generated text—but it doesn't have to be! In this encouraging episode, author and professor Nancy McCabe joins host Vicki Davis (Cool Cat Teacher) to share six creative strategies that help students rediscover the joy of writing.

From 10-minute free writing sessions to outdoor field trips and imitating great authors, Nancy shares proven ideas that work for every age. She also explains why mistakes and "messy drafts" are not problems to fix—but signs of authentic thinking and growth.

Sponsored by Speakable — the AI tool that helps language and reading teachers assign speaking tasks, give instant feedback, and save time grading.
Learn more at www.coolcatteacher.com/speakable.

🎙️ Listen now to discover:

• Why free writing unlocks creativity and confidence

• How turning points and sensory details make stories come alive

• Ways to connect reading and writing through imitation

• Why taking writing outside the classroom boosts engagement

• How to embrace imperfection in the age of AI

• Why writing is thinking—and how to help students believe it

Learn more and find show notes at www.coolcatteacher.com/e917