Lesson Openers, Checks for Understanding, Warm-up's, Brainstorming and more!  What magical tool can do all of this?  

Padlet!

If you've never used Padlet, you're in for a treat.  Padlet is a web-based brainstorming tool that allows you to get ideas from students instantly and anonymously.  All you have to do is post a prompt and let your students throw out their ideas.  Use it for a warm-up, a lesson opener, or a check for understanding.  Because it's anonymous, students can feel comfortable posting questions they (and likely other students) have, but might be too shy to ask out loud.