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Chalk & Roots

Rooted in tradition. Growing through innovation.

Teach. Inspire. Empower.

Chalk & Roots logoChalk & Roots

Educator · Science of Reading · AI enthusiast

Technology changes.
Great teaching endures.

My journey began with FORTRAN programming on large mainframe computers in Jamaica. Over the decades I witnessed the arrival of personal computers, the Internet, Google, cloud computing, and now artificial intelligence. Each technological breakthrough has transformed education, while reinforcing one timeless truth — great teaching is about helping people learn. Long before AI entered the classroom, I was introducing students to computational thinking through Karel programming.

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Today, AI gives us something teachers have always needed —

What's Your Teaching Superpower?

Take a free 30-second quiz and get one resource, hand-picked for what you're working on right now — a free starter kit, a full toolkit, or a template, matched to your answers. No purchase required to see your pick. Prefer to just reach out? Scroll to the bottom of the page and send me a message directly.

✉️ Send Angella a Message

Watch Angella's student show his learning.

Today, I continue that journey by helping students and educators save time, inspire creativity, and keep students at the center of learning.

A quick look around

What Visitors Can Find Here

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👋About AngellaMeet the educator behind Chalk & Roots 💻From FORTRAN to AIA personal journey through every era of ed-tech 🌱The GardenReal students, real dirt, real learning 📚Teacher ResourcesScience of Reading & AI-assisted lesson tools 🎬Featured VideosShort, watchable classroom stories 🧑‍🏫WorkshopsBring AI-with-heart training to your school ✍️BlogEssays on teaching, technology, and growth 💬ConnectFollow along or reach out directly
Angella Barngrover, founder of Chalk & Roots

About Angella

Meet Angella Barngrover

Educator • Science of Reading • AI enthusiast • Founder of Chalk & Roots. My work blends decades of teaching experience, ELD support, curriculum design, technology, storytelling, and practical teacher resources. I have lived through the major eras of educational technology, beginning with FORTRAN in Jamaica, and experiencing the rise of personal computers, the internet, and now AI.

🌟 Big Ideas

💡 Big Ideas

🤖

AI with humanity

I believe AI can help teachers plan and create faster without replacing the relationships that make teaching meaningful.

Do you use AI in your classroom?
📚

Science of Reading

Structured reading, writing, vocabulary, language development, and standards-based lesson design remain at the heart of my work.

Want to see more SOR resources?
🌱

Rooted learning

Garden projects, place-based learning, memoir, culture, and student experience bring curriculum to life. Visit the School Garden Project →

Students working in the school garden — visit the Garden section
▶

Teacher Tips Reel

Watch on Instagram — quick, practical tips.

"Technology will continue to evolve, but one thing remains constant: great teaching changes lives."

My story

From FORTRAN to AI: A Lifetime of Learning

💻
Jamaica: FORTRAN and mainframesMy journey with technology began in Jamaica, where I learned FORTRAN programming on large mainframe computers. Those early experiences taught me that technology is more than machines—it is a way of solving problems and opening new possibilities.
🔍
The Google momentOver the decades, I witnessed the arrival of personal computers, the Internet, and the first Google searches that transformed education.
🤖
Karel and computational thinkingLong before AI entered the classroom, I was introducing students to computational thinking through Karel programming.
🌱
Today: Chalk & RootsToday, I continue that journey by helping educators harness artificial intelligence to save time, inspire creativity, and keep students at the center of learning.
"Long before artificial intelligence entered classrooms, I was helping students think like programmers through Karel."

Karel and Computational Thinking

This short video represents part of my journey, and the curiosity that has guided my career. From my first programming classes in Jamaica to today's AI-powered classrooms, I've always been fascinated by how technology can transform learning.

↑ Watch the video at the top of the pageRead more on the Blog →

Shop & Ko-fi

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Teacher resources that actually save time.

Practical, beautiful, and ready to use in your classroom tomorrow.

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FREE

AI Lesson Plan Starter Kit

5 ready-to-use AI prompts for K–12 teachers plus a cheat sheet. Your first step into AI-assisted planning.

FREE

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📚
FREE

ELD Starter Kit

Complete K–12 framework with 5-day routines, sentence frames library, ELD planner, and 10 AI prompts.

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MEMBERSHIP

Chalk & Roots Classroom

Monthly membership with early access to resources, live Q&A sessions, and a private educator community.

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🧑‍🏫
🌟 EVERGREEN PERK

1:1 Tutoring Session

Personalized support for your classroom — lesson planning, AI integration, Science of Reading strategies, or whatever you're working through.

$18 / session — 🌟 Evergreen members

Book a Session →

Unit plans, prompt packs, vocabulary routines, ELD tools, and more — with new resources added every month.

☕ Visit Ko-fi Shop

Teacher Resource Hub

This site is designed to grow into your hub for free downloads, Ko-fi products, blog posts, and AI teacher tools.

🎁 AI Prompt Vault — Free20 ready-to-copy AI prompts. Enter your email and it's yours, instantly. 🎁 FREEBIE: Escape RoomA playable Grade 6–7 ELA escape room to break the ice on day one — vocabulary, grammar, and story elements.
📥 Free Lesson Plan TemplateLead magnets, calendars, planners, and quick teacher wins.Browse the Template →
🔔 Free Bell RingersQuick warm-up activities to start class with focus, every day.Browse on Ko-fi →
🧵 Instagram & ThreadsShort-form teacher tips and content connected to your brand.
🌱 Summer Garden JournalSchool garden, place-based, memoir, and storytelling projects.Browse on Ko-fi →
Falling Ko-fi mug animation☕ Ko-fi ShopPaid and free Chalk & Roots teacher resources.
🗓️ B6 Digital PlannerA flexible digital planner built for the realities of a teacher's week.Browse on Ko-fi →

Featured videos

Stories, recognition, and teacher inspiration.

Video Library

Teacher Tips & Shorts

Short-form encouragement and practical ideas for educators.

ING Unsung Hero Award

A proud moment connected to classroom innovation and impact.

Problem Solving: Marshmallow Challenge

Students engineer, test, and rebuild — real problem-solving in action.

Students building an inquiry science projectStudents collaborating on a hands-on science build

Main Idea (Facebook Reel)

A quick, practical breakdown of teaching main idea in the classroom.

Sunday Night Reset

Wind down and get ready for the week ahead — a calm reset routine.

Experiential learning

School Garden Projects

Students dig in, literally, exploring a driving question: How can we support native plants and pollinators? Garden work builds science, writing, teamwork, and a real connection to place.

Students working together in the school garden, planting, digging, and answering the driving question: How can we support native plants and pollinators?

Blog

🌿✨ Beyond the Textbook: Why Experiential Learning Matters ✨🌿

Why real places, gardens, culture, and student stories matter in an AI world.

Read on Ko-fi

The Sunday Night Lesson Plan Panic

How teachers can use AI to draft stronger plans without losing professional judgment.

Read on Ko-fi

From FORTRAN to AI

Your personal story connecting early technology, teaching, and the future of education.

Read the full story →

Connect

Let’s build the future of education together.

For workshops, collaboration, teaching resources, speaking, or AI education questions, reach out and follow Chalk & Roots.

📸 Instagram@meetchalkyroots — daily teacher inspiration and AI tips🧵 Threads@meetchalkyroots — conversations on AI and education☕ Buy Chalk&Roots a CoffeeShop free resources and premium downloads▶ YouTubeTeaching videos, shorts, and stories
📘 FacebookChalk & Roots updates and community📌 PinterestChalkandRoots — teacher-ready boards and ideas💼 LinkedInAngella Barngrover — professional updates and connections💬 WhatsApp ChannelFollow along for quick updates and tips✉ EmailContact Angella directly

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Use these plain links if a social button is blocked by an embed or browser setting:

https://www.instagram.com/meetchalkyroots/
https://www.threads.net/@meetchalkyroots
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https://www.pinterest.com/chalkandroots/?actingBusinessId=728316708397396294
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https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbDWciy002TFPybxEF1q
https://ko-fi.com/chalkandroots/shop

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