Christine Pinto - Innovating Play: Reimagining Learning through Meaningful Tech Integration

Christine and Jessicas Innovating Play could not have come at a better time. Its as though they predicted that educators across our country would need to engage with their students remotely. The Innovating Play Cycle is exactly what teachers need today to bring education alive to students who will learn differently in the future. Filled with practical insights and activities, Innovating Play needs to be in every primary teacher's hands.

Dr. Jeff Wilson, superintendent, San Marino Unified School District, California

Innovating Play reads so naturally because its authors speak from the heart. The ideas they share float directly from the pages and right into your classroom. The book is filled with a great mix of usable ideas and thoughtful reminders of how to infuse play into all classrooms. Pick up the book and start your playful partnership with Christine and Jessica today.

Michael Matera, middle school teacher, speaker, and author of Explore Like a Pirate, Wisconsin

Innovating Play is more than a creative collection of collaborative resources, its about creating a culture of classroom community. Christine and Jessica make it very clear throughout the book how any elementary teacher can adapt the Innovating Play Cycle as a complement to his or her current teaching style. As a second grade teacher and avid Flipgrid and Seesaw educator, I was excited to see how the traditional methods presented in the book also easily translated into the user-friendly apps I know and love, like Google Drawings and Google Slides. Innovating Play is just the right piece of heartwork that will get elementary school teachers excited about all the possibilities of making it happen while creating lifelong learners along the way! May you discover excitement in the power of purposeful edtech and innovating play as you empower the voice and choice in each of your learners and find renewed joy in your own journey as you read this book and connect to the Innovating Play community.

Adrienne Jimerson, second grade teacher, MAEd, KES TOY 202021, Virginia

When you open Innovating Play, you are immersed in what early childhood teachers dream their classrooms could be. Christine and Jessica share not only their journey but all their resources so that you and your students can join them. It is the perfect balance of learning with hands-on and tech tools. A must-read for every early childhood educator that wants to deepen the learning of their students.

Carol McLaughlin, primary teacher, Alabama

Yall, this book is a must-read for early childhood educators! Christine and Jessica have created a playbook of dynamic learning experiences for students. If you are looking for innovative teaching ideas that go beyond traditional thinking AND support social-emotional learning, this book has everything you need to get started.

Kasey Bell, author of Shake Up Learning, blogger, podcaster, and digital-learning coach at ShakeUpLearning.com, Texas

Jessica LaBar-Twomey and Christine Pinto have come up with an outstanding book that gives real-world examples and practical advice. Innovating Play should be added to the reading list for any teachernew or veteran. Give it a try. Have some fun. You wont regret it.

Rick Papera, superintendent, New Jersey

Christine and Jessica are two of the most skilled and passionate educators I have had the pleasure to connect with on Twitter. They have created a collaboration space (#InnovatingPlay) for teachers from around the world to connect virtually in that is both safe and challenging. The sense of community they have created for adults mirrors that which they have created for their kindergarten students, who likewise connect from across the country and time zones. This book has encouraged me to continue to take risks as an educator and build a strong community of learners in my own first grade classroom. Innovating Play serves as a guide for educators to create a safe and challenging classroom community that celebrates and PLAYS together!

Aubrey DiOrio, first grade teacher, North Carolina

Innovating Play provides guiding questions to help you reflect upon what you currently do in your own learning space. The book is full of developmentally appropriate ideas for helping students design and create with technology rather than just consuming it. Even though its written by two kindergarten educators, this book is absolutely for any educator. The authors expertly weave technology, wonder, discovery, SEL, and balanced literacy into their Innovating Play Cycle, and their ideas will transform what you are doing with learning!"

Courtney Stepp, kindergarten teacher, Washington

Connect, wonder, play, and discover your way through the examples and resources shared in Innovating Play. Imagine the possibilities for your students when they can collaborate outside the walls of your classroom, school, and district!

Scott Bramley, chief technology officer, Arcadia Unified School District, California

As a technology coach, I am always looking for original ideas to infuse interactive digital learning into a blended classroom. Innovating Play is filled with inspirational 'sticky' learning ideas! It shares examples of how typical lessons can be infused with a little technology to create even richer learning experiences that reach beyond the walls of your classroom. These are experiences that can easily be shared with students, families, communities, or even around the world! The ideas in Innovating Play are easily adaptable too! They have sparked my imagination with ways I can adapt or expand them for any grade level! If youre looking for a book that will inspire and excite you and is filled with resources, check out Innovating Play!

Michael Wesely, instructional technology specialist, Virginia