Top Tools to Use Now That Flip is Gone
Discover top alternatives to Microsoft Flip for creating engaging video content in education. Explore tools like Adobe Express, Canva, and other innovative platforms that enhance student learning, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. Find the perfect tool for your classroom today!
Over the summer of 2024, Microsoft announced that it would be shutting down beloved ed tech app, Flip (aka Flipgrid). The absence of such an innovative app leaves a hole in many of our classrooms. So, now that Flip is no more, where do we go from here? We want to be very clear, these apps and suggestions are NOT a replacement for Flip. These platforms contain similar features or integrations that may be used as a way to replicate what you were doing with Microsoft Flip.
THIS BLOG POST IS HAND CRAFTED AND WAS NOT GENERATED USING AI.
IT HAS BEEN UPDATED ON: November 2025
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Video Creation Platforms
Adobe Express
Price: Free for both students and educators
Compatibility: Web based, iOS, Android
Similarities to Flip: Students can create and download videos
Differences from Flip: Students do not have a collected space to share their videos, but they can collaborate on the creation of a video.
Sign up: https://www.adobeforeducation.com/k-12/express-for-education/
Adobe Express, formerly known as Adobe Spark, is an excellent tool that can help students create and edit videos easily. Although Adobe Express is more focused on graphic design, it does have features that can be utilized for video creation and editing. Check out what it offers for students in terms of recording and editing videos in the image below.
Canva
Price: Free for both students and educators
Compatibility: Web based, iOS, Android
Similarities to Flip: Students can create and download videos
Differences from Flip: Students do not have a collected space to share their videos, but they can collaborate on the creation of a video.
Sign up: https://www.canva.com/education/
Canva offers a range of features that can help students with recording and editing videos, making it a valuable tool for various educational purposes. Canva also places an emphasis on graphic design, and many of it’s features can be utilized while creating videos. Check out the image below for a breakdown of some of our favorites!
Seesaw
Price: Free and paid options
Compatibility: Web based, iOS, Android
Similarities to Flip: Students can create and download videos and use the screen as a white board.
Differences from Flip: Educators are able to enable the ability for students to view each other’s work, but students do not have a way to comment (with a video) back-and-forth.
Sign up: https://seesaw.com/
Seesaw is an educational platform designed to engage students in learning by allowing them to create, reflect, share, and collaborate on various types of content. When it comes to recording videos, Seesaw offers several features that can be beneficial for students. The image below shares a few of our favorites!
Any of these apps can be used to create videos, and all of them do it exceptionally well. However, if you’ve ever seen us speak, or read our books, you know that we have a passion for providing students with an outlet to share their creativity to broader audiences. While the apps above will permit students to create content, they do not provide a space for students to be able to view and provide feedback to their classmates (as we mentioned above - Seesaw does have a feature where students can view each other’s work, but it doesn’t have the same feel as Flip did). So, let’s take a look at some other apps that might provide a way for students to both record, share, and comment back and forth.
Platforms That Allow for Video Creation, Sharing, Reflection and Commenting
Snorkl
Price: Free and paid options
Compatibility: Web based
Similarities to Flip: Students can record whiteboard-styled annotated videos and submit them for other student’s to view and comment on.
Differences from Flip: Videos are whiteboard-style only. AI is integrated within the platform, which will assess the student work and provide feedback.
Sign up: https://snorkl.app/
Snorkl is an educational app designed to help students record and explain their thinking visually and verbally. It provides tools for students to record their voice while using a digital whiteboard to represent their ideas. The app’s AI offers instant feedback on these recordings, helping students deepen their understanding and improve their explanations. This is a step above where Flip left off - providing a way for students to receive instant coaching on their submissions. On the educator side, teachers can use AI-powered analytics to monitor student progress and gain insights into their thinking. Check out some of our favorite features below!
Let’s take a look at Snorkl’s platform. On the educator side, teachers create a class. Then, you can add assignments to the class (or classes). When assigning an activity, you can choose from Snorkl’s library (Grades 3 and up), or create your own. If you’re starting your own activity, you can use the Snorkl whiteboard to provide a template for your students to work on top of. Setting up the AI feedback is optional, but can be easily generated with Snorkl’s autofill. Educator’s have full control, and can choose to auto-approve or teacher-approve the AI feedback. Check out our walkthrough below!
On the student side, students log on with an email address. Assigned activities will appear when they log in. The whiteboard is the same as the one on the educator side (where you can add your own template for students to work on top of). Check out our deep dive of the tools the students have access to within the app below.
MirrorTalk
Price: Free and paid options
Compatibility: Web based, iOS and Google Play
Similarities to Flip: Students reflect on the assignment, sharing their thinking.
Differences from Flip: Videos are not seen by classmates, but are visible to the educator.
Sign up: https://mirrortalk.ai/
MirrorTalk is an educational app designed to help students and teachers build reflective thinking skills. Educators create a class, then set up a topic that they would like the students to reflect on. MirrorTalk provides several options for how students log in. If the educator selects “Login,” the students will need to enter an email address which will create an account for them. The benefit here is that with a student account, students have access to the entire dashboard: start a new reflection, view past reflections, and access AI-driven insights. If the educator selects “Session” under the Access menu, this will provide a unique link where students will only need to enter their name to add a reflection. They will not see the dashboard, and only be able to respond to the prompted question. This method is highly recommended if you are a K-2 educator, as the reflections can be hyperlinked on your LMS for quick and easy access. In “Open” access, students do not need to enter a name. After clicking on the reflection link, they are immediately prompted with the question.
When a student launches a reflection, they are prompted to answer questions. Their responses are recorded and then analyzed using AI. The AI then prompts the students to explain in more detail, analyzing the response. The app then provides educators with AI-driven insights to identify learning gaps, develop understanding, and manage mindsets. Here’s what we love about MirrorTalk!
Book Creator
Price: Free and paid options (collaboration requires a paid version)
Compatibility: Web based, iOS and Google Play
Similarities to Flip: Students can record videos and comment on classmates work with either text or video.
Differences from Flip: The camera does not contain additional add-ons and is strictly meant to capture raw video (no filters, effects, etc.) and comments appear off to the right side of the book.
Sign up: https://bookcreator.com/
Don’t let the name fool you! Book Creator is an amazing tool to create books, but it’s capabilities go far beyond what the name suggests. With a paid version of Book Creator, a teacher can turn collaboration on, providing ways for students to work together on the same assignment. As cool as this is, one of our favorite features in Book Creator is the commenting feature (and it comes with the free version). Clicking on the comment icon in the lower right panel opens up an area for students to record a video, audio message, or leave a GIF / emoji. We like to encourage the student who’s project is being viewed to record a video explaining their thinking alongside their book. Then, their classmates can read the book and add comments below the original message. We love how the comments stay in a thread, making it easy and accessible.
This feature can be used similarly to Flip by allowing students to comment on each other’s work. This builds constructive and critical thinking, all while providing a creative outlet for your students. The best part of all: books can be shared with families in just several clicks! Check out what we love about Book Creator below!
Padlet
Price: Free and paid options
Compatibility: Web based, iOS and Google Play
Similarities to Flip: Students can record videos and comment on classmates work with either text or video.
Differences from Flip: The camera does not contain additional add-ons and is strictly meant to capture raw video (no filters, effects, etc.).
Sign up: https://padlet.com/
For those who have been around ed tech for some time, you most likely have used Padlet at some point in your career. While nothing can fully replace Flip, Padlet’s work into video integration within their platform definitely feels familiar for Flip users. Educators create a Padlet board and share the link with the students. The students click on the + symbol, followed by “More attachment types.” In the pop up menu, students click “Video Recorder” to launch the camera. Unlike Flip’s camera, there are no flashy add-ons, filters, or effects. We actually prefer this to the last version of Flip’s camera. This keeps the attention on the objective, but Padlet also offers the option to upload video (so you can always use a different app to create the video and then smash it with Padlet). Students have up to 2 minutes of recording time, and the recording can be paused at any time during the process. Also like Flip, students have the ability to watch their videos back before submitting their response.
After submitting a video response, the video thumbnail will appear on the Padlet board. Clicking on a video’s thumbnail will open a familiar view to Flip users. Here, the students can view the original video and all other comments made to the video. Just like on Flip, the content is threaded and organized, making it easy for students to interact with.
Padlet also stepped up and created a Flip importer tool to bring all previous content in Flip into Padlet. Click this link to learn more and transfer your videos. The attention to detail is impressive, and as we have mentioned before - nothing will replace the Flip(grid) that we all knew and loved. But, Padlet’s efforts are definitely recognized and appreciated. This gives it our highly recommended rating, and if you are desperately looking for a replacement option, start with Padlet.
-- Please follow us on social media and tag us with how you’re using these apps in your classroom! 👓👗
For more tips, tricks and lesson ideas for making learning more interACTIVE, check out our books The InterACTIVE Class and Flipgrid in the InterACTIVE Class on Amazon!
10 Education Apps to try in 2023
@TheMerrillsEDU share 10 different education apps that you’re going to want to try in the new year! We’ve got something for Literacy, Math, Social Studies and Science. Check it out!
2022 introduced to one of our favorite new education apps, new ways to collaborate, news ways to create, and so much more. We’re sharing 10 different education apps and how you can use them in 2023. Check them out below!
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Osmo’s Reading Adventure
This past summer, we were introduced to Osmo’s latest addition: “Reading Adventure.” Reading Adventure is an interactive program that helps students learn to read. Reading Adventure uses speech recognition to create a personalized reading experience for your students, complete with actual books and a crystal wand. Developed with educators, Reading Adventure interacts with your child to give personalized feedback, increasing reading proficiency. The game features the characters Oliver and Nebula, who join your child on a quest to catch "Dreams" and return them to the Kingdom of Slumber. Check out how it works in our video below!
Book Creator
Book Creator announced some key updates this past fall. In addition to its integration with Canva, remixable books and comments, now users can crop images and import PDF’s. We’re HUGE fans of the Canva integration, which allows students to design using Canva without ever having to leave Book Creator (you read that right)! Learn more about this update by clicking here and checking out our blog post! our next favorite update has to be the ability to “remix” books. Think of these as templates that can be shared and edited / altered. We’re loving the designs being shared, and there are more appearing every day! To see some of our remixable books, click here or the images below. Let us know how you are using them!
Gimkit
GimKit is a great way to take those boring formative assessments and turn them into engaging experiences for your students. There is a free and paid version, but we highly recommend the paid version as it unlocks all of the modes (and won’t break your bank at only $59.88 a year or $9.99 per month). The Pro (or paid) version will give you access to new modes like “Frostbite,” “This or That,” and “Farmchain.” We love these modes because it adds a new element of excitement into the games. For example, in “Frostbite,” the focus isn’t necessarily on money, but rather “knockouts” with snowballs. The only way you can earn snowballs is to answer questions! Learn more about the other modes below and give GimKit a shot!
Seesaw
Seesaw has always been a top five app for us. Its ability to communicate with families in a quick and efficient manner is a must for any classroom. Then, add on it’s creation tools, and it’s a must have. But, this past summer Seesaw took parent engagement to the next level by adding a messaging option. Now, educators can communicate with families via messages. A lot of attention went into the details of this feature. Educators can start 1:1 messages, group conversations, or whole-group announcements. They can choose if a message is one-way or two-way, and even use the search bar to quickly find recipients. There are also options for specialist teachers to message multiple classes at once, or give students the ability to reach out to the teacher for help. Learn more about messaging on Seesaw by clicking right here or check out the tutorial below!
Wakelet
Wakelet is one of our favorite ed tech apps and it just keep getting better. What started out as a way to curate information, has now turned into a creative outlet for your students. Our favorite new Wakelet feature introduces its integration with Canva. Now, users can design with Canva without ever having to leave Wakelet (yes, you read that right!). For example, when adding an image to a collection, the option to design with Canva appears. Clicking it will launch Canva as a pop up right within the same browser window. If you’re on the educator side, you can use Canva to design differentiated Wakelet collections. Canva has a ton of header template images available. to view them, click the image to the right or here!
Canva
Canva announced a slew of updates this past year, some more hidden than others. This past year brought us tables, whiteboards and docs into Canva. But, some of the more well hidden features caught our attention. For example, check out the all-new magic design tool called “Text to Generate Images.” With “Text to Generate Images,” users type of the specifics of what they are looking for. Then, Canva does all the work - looking for a design that best suits what was described. Check out out video to the right to learn how it all works! Another feature added (to premium accounts only) was “Magic Write,” which is an AI-enabled writing assistant that empowers anyone to effortlessly and quickly create written content. You can use it for social posts, business plans, websites, blogs, poems, journaling, creative writing, and so much more. It can generate sentences, paragraphs, lists, outlines, and more based on the text prompt you enter. This was intended for creators, so Canva has not (yet) included it in their Education accounts. However, educators should familiarize themselves with this tool and educate students accordingly. It’s an incredible resource, but could be used in the wrong way if it isn’t taught properly. Learn more about “Magic Write” by clicking on the image below or right here!
Novel Effect
Novel Effect has exploded over the past year. This app uses the microphone built into your smart phone (or iPad) to listen to you read. As you read a story, Novel Effect will play music and / or soundscapes that go along with the book. It’s important to note that while Novel Effect uses your devices microphone, it’s not actually recording and saving you read. New books are being added every day, and now the entire library is full of books that you most likely already own in your own personal classroom library. But, what really got us thinking this past year was Novel Effect’s ability to impact our student’s reading. For example, give students the chance to be the readers while using Novel Effect. This will encourage them to slow down so that the sound effects can keep up with what they are reading. Novel Effect has also started a learning resource page on their website. Here you can find FREE content that goes along with the books you are reading. Check it out by clicking the image to the right or here!
Classkick
Classkick is a website / app that allows you to see all your students work and give high-quality feedback–from anywhere, anytime. The key word being “anywhere,” and they mean it! Even if a student is home working on an assignment, you can see them working in real time. You can also provide feedback to them in real time. The educator dashboard gives you a class-wide view of everything that the students are doing, so you can tell what the pace of the class is. As amazing as all of this sounds, what we really love about Classkick is the accessibility features. Educators and students can add audio recordings to explain directions or how they were thinking. There’s also options to allow collaboration. Students can help out others once they have completed tasks - all of which can be easily monitored on the educator side. To learn more, click on the image to the right or here!
Microsoft Flip (Formally Flipgrid)
Microsoft Flip is always listening to educators and updating based on their preferences. The major take away from Flip this year is it’s all-new educator dashboard, which mirrors what students see on their side. This makes it easier to get a student-view of what is being asked. Hidden amongst the platform comes another slew of valuable updates. The key takeaway here: don’t be afraid to push some buttons! You may find hidden features! For example, with the camera launched - click the three dots. A drop down will appear giving you the option to mirror your camera. Dig a little deeper and you’ll quickly find that you are able to toggle between both front and rear facing cameras without having to pause! Check out our video to the right for a full walk through! Another hack / tip our students came up with this year was using Flip for writing. When working on a “How To” writing assignment, the kids began by recording a video of the steps required to accomplish the task. Then, they enabled the captions to make sure that they were able to spell difficult words that they normally may not be able to spell. This helped them as they went on to write. Normally, we think of Flip as being the final place for content - but in this case, it ignite learning! (Note - we actually circled back around and created final videos for each writing piece!) To learn more about this writing process, click here or the image below!
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams acts like a house for content. Some of the more stand-out updates come from built-in apps like Reflect, Reading Progress and Whiteboard. In Reading Progress, educators can gain valuable insights and data on student progress. The program will intelligently identify “challenge” or frequently mis-read words. On the educator side, you can now create an assignment to help your readers master the missed terms. Check out the video from Mike Tholfsen to learn more. Also new in Teams is an updated student view in the app “Reflect.” Students can privately answer questions that educators can use to monitor the social and emotional well being of their students. To learn more, click here! Lastly, Whiteboard lands with more features than ever. We love differentiating our instruction into groups on Teams, and then letting the small groups use Whiteboard to collaborate. Students can now add images, videos and links - all collaboratively!
-- Please follow us on social media and tag us with how you’re using these resources in your classroom! 👓👗
For more tips, tricks and lesson ideas for making learning more interACTIVE, check out our books The InterACTIVE Class and Flipgrid in the InterACTIVE Class on Amazon!
20 Read aloud Activities to Use with Novel Effect (and Other Apps)!
Novel Effect is a MUST TRY app for any classroom! See how you can use this app with books that you’re already reading. Check out some of our favorite classroom activities to use Novel Effect with - including ideas with Microsoft Flip, Canva, Adobe Express, Seesaw and more. Here’s 20 of our favorite!
If you teach reading, you HAVE to check out Novel Effect. Novel Effect is an award-winning app that follows your voice as you read out loud from a children's story book and responds at just the right moment with interactive music, sound effects, and character voices. You can learn more and download it by clicking here!
So how can we fit this amazing app into our standards? It’s easy! Novel Effect’s library is FULL of books that you most likely already have in your collection - and they continue to add more weekly. Now that we have had some time using the app, we’d like to share 20 of our favorite activities. Click on any subheading to jump to that section/activity!
The Bad Seed
Jory John’s “The Bad Seed” has a bad temper, bad manners, and a bad attitude. But, it doesn’t last long in this popular story. One of our favorite activities to do with this book is with Novel Effect and Microsoft Flip. Follow the steps below:
Read The Bad Seed on Novel Effect
Have students use the Bad Seed sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can retell the story, or explain what positive actions they can do to help promote kindness in the classroom and school campus
You can download The Bad Seed sticker by clicking here or the image.
The Good Egg
In part two of Jory John and Pete Oswald’s series, The Good Egg is trying to look out for others but forgets the most important person: themself. After some careful reflection, The Good Egg decides to do what’s best and make a change. We absolutely love to use this book as a classroom management tool. Here’s how:
Purchase an Egg plastic trophy here (you might want to remove the name plate)
Click here to read The Good Egg on Novel Effect
Give the egg trophy to a student who is meeting your expectations
Move the egg frequently, “catching” students who are doing the RIGHT thing.
The person who has the trophy at the end of the day earns a prize!
Purchase an Easter Egg trophy by clicking here
Here’s another idea that is great for the beginning of the year!
The Cool Bean
In part 3 of John and Oswald’s series, a bean always finds himself on the sidelines. After unsuccessfully trying everything he can to fit in with the crowd— the cool beans step in to show him how it’s done. Just when if it couldn’t get any cooler - it does! Now you can read this book on Novel Effect! Here’s our favorite activity includes using Microsoft Flip:
Read The Cool Bean on Novel Effect
Have students use the The Cool Bean “Raybean” sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can retell the story, or explain how they would act like cool beans around the classroom and school campus.
The Couch Potato
In part 4 of John and Oswald’s series, The Couch Potato has everything within reach and doesn't have to move from the sunken couch cushion. But when the electricity goes out, Couch Potato is forced to peel away from the comforts of the living room and venture outside. Bring this story to life with Novel Effect and check out this activity:
Read The Couch Potato on Novel Effect
Have students use The Couch Potato “webcam” sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain why using technology all the time may not be best.
Click here to download the The Couch Potato “Webcam” sticker
The Smart Cookie
In part 4 of Johns and Oswald’s series, This cookie has never felt like a smart cookie no matter how hard she tries, especially in comparison to all the clever cupcakes and brilliant rolls in the bakery. But, a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of confidence helps her learn that perfect scores and having all the answers aren’t the only ingredients for intelligence! But the cookie doesn’t have to be the only creative one. With this activity, your students will be creating the perfect cookie with all the right ingredients!
Here’s how:
Read The Smart Cookie on Novel Effect
Download the Smart Cookie Canva template
Assign the template to your students
Students use the template to design a smart cookie and use text boxes to include things that you are good at!
Save your work and then share it on Seesaw!
Chrysanthemum
Kevin Henke’s “Chrysanthemum” gets children thinking about and bonding with their own names and the names of everyone else in the class. It's the perfect vehicle for starting a discussion about treating classmates with tolerance, kindness, and compassion. With Novel Effect, this book comes alive! Here’s an activity that we’ve done in our own classrooms:
Give each student a copy of the Chrysanthemum name tag
Students create a design for the name tag that describes Chrysanthemum’s feelings in the beginning, middle and end.
(This can be done digitally on Canva or Adobe Express - or simply with crayons)
Share your work on Seesaw!
Click here to download the Chrysanthemum name-tag (Canva) template
Wemberly Worried
Okay, we might be a bit biased on this one…Together, we’re the voice actors for the mother and father of this book on Novel Effect. In this book, Wemberly worried about everything. Big things. Little things. And things in between. Then it was time for school to start. And Wemberly worried even more. If you ever worry (or know someone who does), this is the book for you! Here’s one of favorite activities to do with it:
Read Wemberly Worried on Novel Effect
Have students use the Wemberly Worried “cover” sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain what are some things that they worry about.
Enemy Pie
Derek Munson and Tara Calahan King’s “Enemy Pie” is a funny yet endearing story where one little boy learns an effective recipe for turning a best enemy into a best friend. This book is perfect for any time of the year - and often we see ourselves re-visiting it throughout the year. Here’s our favorite “Enemy Pie” activity!
Read Enemy Pie on Novel Effect
Use Canva or Adobe Express to find a recipe template (or use our Canva below!)
Assign the template to your students
Students use the template to design a recipe that includes ingredients to become a good friend.
Save your work and then share it on Seesaw!
A Bad Case of Stripes
David Shanon’s “A Bad Case of Stripes” is about a little girl who secretly enjoys lima beans. However, she’s concerned about what others might think of her if they learn that she loves them. Until one day - when everyone finds out! Here’s our favorite “A Bad Case of Stripes” activity:
Read A Bad Case of Stripes on Novel Effect
Have students use the Bad Case of Stripes sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain what happens in the story, or even share something unusual that they like.
Click here to download the Bad Case of Stripes sticker
Hey Little Ant
Phillip Hoose’s “Hey Little Ant,” is about a surprising conversation between a tiny ant and a little girl. The book is bound to inspire important discussions about caring, kindness and respect for both animals and humans. Here’s our favorite activity:
Read Hey Little Ant on Novel Effect
Have students use the magnifying glass sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain how the illustrations in the book may portray a different message. than the words.
Grumpy Monkey
In “Grumpy Monkey,” Suzanne and Max Lang bring hilarity and levity to this very important lesson on emotional literacy, demonstrating to kids that they are allowed to feel their feelings. This is a great lesson for any time of the year, and here is our favorite activity:
Read Grumpy Monkey on Novel Effect
Have students use the Grumpy Monkey sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain how the illustrations in the text told a different story than the words.
Mae Among the Stars
Roda Ahmed’s “Mae Among the Stars,” is an inspiration to students to reach for the stars - no pun intended. We love how it encourages girls (specifically) to aspire for the impossible, and to persist with childlike imagination. Here’s our favorite “Mae Among the Stars” activities:
Read “Mae Among the Stars” on Novel Effect
Have students use the astronaut sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the draw tool to add planets, stars, etc. Or, students can add stickers like a rocket!
Have the students retell the story as an astronaut!
Duck! Rabbit!
Amy Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld’s, “Duck! Rabbit!” has a clever take on the age-old optical illusion: is it a duck or a rabbit? Depends on how you look at it! Readers will find more than just humor here; there's also a subtle lesson for kids who don't know when to let go of an argument. Here’s our favorite “Duck! Rabbit!” activity:
Read “Duck! Rabbit!” on Novel Effect
Have students use the Duck Rabbit sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the draw tool to add a duck bill or rabbit ears to share their opinion on whether the image is a duck or a rabbit
Have students watch the other responses and see if another student can convince them otherwise!
Click here to download the Duck Rabbit sticker
The Oldest Student
Rita Hubbard and Oge Mora’s “The Oldest Student” is based on the true life story of Mary Walker. Imagine learning to read at the age of 116! Mary, the nation's oldest student, did just that. We love this story for so many reasons and it can be used in lots of different ways. Here is just one of our favorite ways to use it:
Read “The Oldest Student” on Novel Effect
Have students use the Grandma Glasses sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to retell the events of the story and Mary Walker’s life!
I Want My Hat Back
Jon Klassen is one of our favorite authors. We love his writing and artistic style. “I Want My Hat Back,” is a take on the classic repetitive tale, but it plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor. The reader(s) feels to be in on the joke, as the bear frantically looks back to find his beloved hat. Here’s our favorite activity:
Read “I Want My Hat Back” on Novel Effect
Have students use the red hat sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to retell the sequence of events in the story!
This is Not My Hat
In part 2 of Klassen’s series, the hat series takes a bit of a twist. This time, we follow the character who deliberately took a hat from its owner. The character is confident, perhaps overly confident, which leads him into trouble. We really enjoy reading this book after “I Want My Hat Back.” This allows us to complete this activity:
Read “This is Not My Hat” on Novel Effect
Have students use the tiny hat sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to compare / contrast “I Want My Hat Back” and “This is Not My Hat.”
Are You Scared Darth Vader?
In Adam Rex’s “Are You Scared Darth Vader,” nothing can scare Lord Vader! Not monsters or witches or ghosts, and especially not the dark. So what is Darth Vader scared of? A surprise at the end, that’s for sure! If you’re a Star Wars fan - or have kids that are, then this book is for you! Here’s our favorite activity:
Read “Are You Scared Darth Vader” on Novel Effect
Have students use the Darth Vader sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to recreate the ending of the story: What else do you think Darth Vader might be scared of?
Those Shoes
In Maribeth Boelts’ “Those Shoes,” Jeremy desperately wants a pair of popular shoes. However, he soon sees that the things he has -- warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend -- are worth more than the things he wants. Here’s our favorite activity:
Read “Those Shoes” on Novel Effect
Give each student a copy of the Shoes template (this can also be done virtually on Canva or Adobe Express)
Students design a pair of shoes that they would like to give to a friend
Students share their thoughts in a Microsoft Flip video: “Why would these be perfect for your best friend?”
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist
Eugenie Clark devoted her life to learning about sharks. After earning several college degrees and making countless discoveries, Eugenie wrote herself into the history of science, earning the nickname "Shark Lady." Through her accomplishments, she taught the world that sharks were to be admired rather than feared and that women can do anything they set their minds to. This book by Jess Keating walks through those accomplishments! Here’s our favorite activity:
Read “Shark Lady” on Novel Effect
Have students use the underwater, mask and shark fin sticker sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Layering is important for this to look correct. The underwater scene must be in the back. The next layer should be the mask - but if students place the mask layer in the back (behind the underwater scene) - it won’t look right.
Students can use the stickers to explain some of Eugenie Clark’s accomplishments
The Day the Crayons Quit
This classroom favorite from Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers features crayons that are feeling overworked and exhausted. What can the main character, Duncan, possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best? We love spreading this book out over several days to talk about persuasion. One of our favorite activities uses trading cards made by the students for each character. Here’s the activity:
Read “The Day the Crayons Quit” on Novel Effect
Give each student a copy of the trading card template
Students select crayons of their choice and decorate the cards as they see fit
On the “level” section of the cards, students can rate each crayon on a scale of how persuasive was the color was in the story (1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest)
Students can save their work, then upload it to Seesaw!
Download all of our stickers!
Love what you see, but don’t want to have to download each sticker one-by-one? We’ve got you covered! Click here or the button below to download every Flip sticker from our activities above!
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For more tips, tricks and lesson ideas for making learning more interACTIVE, check out our books The InterACTIVE Class and Flipgrid in the InterACTIVE Class on Amazon!
