Savvy Teaching Tips Podcast: Recent Episodes

Sandra Farrell

Teaching can be challenging and it’s hard to know what you’re doing right. Listen here for help through teaching’s toughest stages. From classroom essentials, to getting a handle on curriculum delivery, this podcast has it all, including tips and tricks on how you can become a better Kindergarten to 3rd-grade teacher. Find out how to manage your time and energy from experienced teacher, Sandra Farrell.

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Today I go over the method I use for introducing story writing to kids in later First Grade and early Second or Third Grade. I will model the outline and then write a short story.

Here are the highlights:
0:18 Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then
0:42 Somebody
1:28 Wanted
1:40 But
1:50 So
2:14 Then
2:23 Review it
2:52 Writing out the story - Somebody
3:26 Wanted, But
3:55 So
4:15 Then
4:23 Illustrations

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If you happen to use any of these ideas at home or in your classroom, leave a comment below and let me know how they go! :) Also, if you share any of the games from Savvy Teaching Tips, please tag me on Instagram @savvyteachingtips so I can see!! You can also use the hashtag: #savvyteachingtips

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Sandra

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Today show you some fun dice and card games for teaching number sense.

Here are the highlights:
0:18 Number Sense Games
0:32 Dice Games
0:48 Roll and Match K and 1
1:53 Extensions
2:17 Dotzee
4:04 Card Games
4:49 Ordering number cards
6:00 Extensions
7:00 Go Fish
8:12 Extensions

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If you happen to use any of these ideas at home or in your classroom, leave a comment below and let me know how they go! :) Also, if you share any of the games from Savvy Teaching Tips, please tag me on Instagram @savvyteachingtips so I can see!! You can also use the hashtag: #savvyteachingtips

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Sandra

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Today I explain the technique I use to get children to write a summary of a story they've read in their Journal. It's a step-by-step procedure that is easy for most first graders to follow. I find it's also great for ELL third graders.

Here are the highlights:
0:22 Beginning of story
1:15 Middle and End of story
1:50 How to draw it in the Journal - who, where
3:18 Problem, solution
3:34 How to write it out in Journal - who where
4:17 Problem
4:45 Ending

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If you happen to use any of these ideas at home or in your classroom, leave a comment below and let me know how they go! :) Also, if you share any of the games from Savvy Teaching Tips, please tag me on Instagram @savvyteachingtips so I can see!! You can also use the hashtag: #savvyteachingtips

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Thanks for stopping by today!
Sandra

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Today I explain how you can tell parents about Number Sense and ways you can teach it to your own class. Number sense is very important to learn and in this video I explain why.

Here are the highlights:
0:22 Explaining to parents.
038 Basically Number Sense is...
1:05 Number bonds
1:42 Fact families
2:11 Mental math
2:40 Word problems
3:20 K and First Grade activities
4:09 Deck of cards
4:24 A game that K's love
5:05 5 minute time fillers
5:44 Open ended questions
6:54 Get the kids to explain their answer
7:48 Activities for second and third grade
8:30 Place value
9:03 Base ten blocks
9:38 Money

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If you happen to use any of these ideas at home or in your classroom, leave a comment below and let me know how they go! :) Also, if you share any of the games from Savvy Teaching Tips, please tag me on Instagram @savvyteachingtips so I can see!! You can also use the hashtag: #savvyteachingtips

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Thanks for stopping by today!
Sandra

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Today I'm explaining how I introduce Journal writing expectations for 2nd and 3rd grade. I use a step-by-step format to guide the kids to write a complete page that makes sense.

Here are the highlights:
0:42 Brainstorm what we need in a journal entry - who, what, when, where, how
1:33 Brainstorm transition words
2:10 Write the date
2:20 Draw 4 pictures
3:35 All 4 pictures done
3:47 Writing for the first picture
4:23 Writing for the second picture
4:47 Writing for the third picture
5:47 Writing for the fourth picture
6:44 Re-read your writing looking for corrections
7:37 Read the journal to me. Get a star and color.

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If you happen to use any of these ideas at home or in your classroom, leave a comment below and let me know how they go! :) Also, if you share any of the games from Savvy Teaching Tips, please tag me on Instagram @savvyteachingtips so I can see!! You can also use the hashtag: #savvyteachingtips

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Thanks for stopping by today!
Sandra

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Today I'm sharing 3 different games for teaching probability.  Probability is a difficult concept for young children, but they all understand when something is fair.

Here are the highlights:
0:48   Game One - Heads or Tails
2:14  Game Two - Same or Different
3:55  Game Three - Catch a Point
5:00 Probability is difficult...

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If you happen to use any of these ideas at home or in your classroom, leave a comment below and let me know how they go! :) Also, if you share any of the games from Savvy Teaching Tips, please tag me on Instagram @savvyteachingtips so I can see!! You can also use the hashtag: #savvyteachingtips

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Thanks for stopping by today!
Sandra

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Here's what I do when I have students tell me that they don't know what to write about in their Journal.

Here are the highlights:
0:15  Find something in their desk
1:00  Start describing orally
1:55  Start writing
2:36  Good writers re-read what they write
3:31  Puzzle Eraser Description
4:00  Writing conventions and concluding sentence

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If you happen to use any of these ideas at home or in your classroom, leave a comment below and let me know how they go! :) Also, if you share any of the games from Savvy Teaching Tips, please tag me on Instagram @savvyteachingtips so I can see!! You can also use the hashtag: #savvyteachingtips

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CONTACT: sandra@savvyteachingtips.net

Thanks for stopping by today!
Sandra

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Today I go over my introductory lesson on Patterning. I show adaptations for students in Kindergarten to Third Grade.

Here are the highlights:
0:19 Using Math Junk
1:00 Introduce concepts
2;32 Sharing their pattern with the class
4:30 My unit on patterning
6:05 Repeating patterns
6:23 Growing patterns
7:20 Patterns in clothing
8:13 Create their own growing patterns
9:13 A cute activity

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If you happen to use any of these ideas at home or in your classroom, leave a comment below and let me know how they go! :) Also, if you share any of the games from Savvy Teaching Tips, please tag me on Instagram @savvyteachingtips so I can see!! You can also use the hashtag: #savvyteachingtips

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CONTACT: sandra@savvyteachingtips.net

Thanks for stopping by today!
Sandra

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Today I will show you step-by-step how I introduce Journal writing to 5 to 8 year olds. This is what I do every September with Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade and even Third Grade students.

Here are the highlights:
0:15 Introducing the Journals
1:01 Temporary Journals
1:45 Kindergarten expectations
2:24 Expectations for first, second, and third grade
2:57 Sequence of events
4:15 Write the list on the board
4:55 Step 1 Date
5:34 Write L to R
6:04 Step 2 Write and Draw
6:47 Writing "rules"
7:20 Drawing expectations
9:02 Spelling expectations
9:18 Coloring expectations
10:09 Incomplete Journal entries

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If you happen to use any of these ideas at home or in your classroom, leave a comment below and let me know how they go! :) Also, if you share any of the games from Savvy Teaching Tips, please tag me on Instagram @savvyteachingtips so I can see!! You can also use the hashtag: #savvyteachingtips

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Thanks for stopping by today!
Sandra

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Today I am discussing Math Junk. Some people call them Junk Collections. I give a step-by-step account of how I introduce these to my class and then discuss all the fantastic ways you can use Math Junk in your classroom. Plus I tell you all about how you can start your own Math Junk collection.

Here are some highlights from the video

0:17 What is Math Junk
0:45 Storing Math Junk
1:02 Routines
1:56 Containers
3:09 Ready Position
6:40 How long at each rotation
7:00 Kids need to "get their play out"
8:30 Acquiring math junk collections

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If you happen to use any of these ideas at home or in your classroom, leave a comment below and let me know how they go! :) Also, if you share any of the games from Savvy Teaching Tips, please tag me on Instagram @savvyteachingtips so I can see!! You can also use the hashtag: #savvyteachingtips

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CONTACT: sandra@savvyteachingtips.net

Thanks for stopping by today!
Sandra

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Today I show you a quick and easy phonemic awareness game. It's fun and all you need is a whiteboard, marker and eraser.

Here are the highlights:
0:23 Phonemic Awareness Game
1:28 Extensions to the Game
2:41 Older Children and the Game

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If you happen to use any of these ideas at home or in your classroom, leave a comment below and let me know how they go! :) Also, if you share any of the games from Savvy Teaching Tips, please tag me on Instagram @savvyteachingtips so I can see!! You can also use the hashtag: #savvyteachingtips

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CONTACT: sandra@savvyteachingtips.net

original idea from Susan Jones Teaching
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Sandra

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Today I go over what you need to think about when setting up your first classroom at the start of the school year. This is perfect for first and second grade teachers.

Here's a breakdown of the highlights.
0:45 Teacher Desk Area
1:27 Sink/ Art Area
1:37 Coat Hooks
1:45 Carpet Area
2:34 Calendar Wall
3:05 Classroom Library
3:55 Student Desks
4:23 Classroom Storage
5:16 Student Supplies
6:42 Small Group Area

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If you happen to use any of these ideas at home or in your classroom, leave a comment below and let me know how they go! :) Also, if you share any of the games from Savvy Teaching Tips, please tag me on Instagram @savvyteachingtips so I can see!! You can also use the hashtag: #savvyteachingtips

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If you are interested in learning about Science of Reading you will like this video. Today I go through the process of teaching phoneme mapping to 5 to 7 year olds. It's great for kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. I explain why I like to teach it near the beginning of the school year.

Here are some highlights from the video

0:27 What are Phonemes?
0:46 Phoneme Mapping
1:45 Elkonin Boxes
4:08 Simon Says Phonemic Mapping
4:50 Phoneme Hopscotch
5:37 Break It Down Game

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If you happen to use any of these ideas at home or in your classroom, leave a comment below and let me know how they go! :) Also, if you share any of the games from Savvy Teaching Tips, please tag me on Instagram @savvyteachingtips so I can see!! You can also use the hashtag: #savvyteachingtips

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Today I describe how I introduce and teach graphing for kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and third grade. I explain why I like to teach it near the beginning of the school year.

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If you happen to use any of these ideas at home or in your classroom, leave a comment below and let me know how they go! :) Also, if you share any of the games from Savvy Teaching Tips, please tag me on Instagram @savvyteachingtips so I can see!! You can also use the hashtag: #savvyteachingtips

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CONTACT: sandra@savvyteachingtips.net

Thanks for stopping by today!
Sandra

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Here's a compilation of 12 Classroom Management Tips for new teachers.  Use these tips to manage difficult children from Kindergarten to 3rd Grade (Grade 3).  I give clear, concise tips on all the little things needed to create a calm and respectful classroom.  Here's a breakdown of where to find these tips.

0:00   Hallway Management
2:05   Classroom Critters
4:23   Attention Getters
6:21   Classroom Callbacks
8:11   Flashlight Fridays
9:45   5 Minute Time Fillers
12:24 The Pencil Problem
14:47 Take Time for Yourself
17:40 Communal Supplies vs Individual Supplies
20:18 Reward Systems
22:49 What I Do In My Own Classroom
28:15 Visual Schedules

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my thoughts on going back to school

During this podcast I discuss my feelings and thoughts about the Back to School "season". 
Including:

  • the joy, the anticipation, and the comfort of returning to school each year
  • setting up my classroom in a way that works for me
  • going in early to set up, or waiting until the last minute
  • feelings of anxiety over Covid-19 and how that affects my back to school routine
  • how my teaching philosophy helps with my back to school routine
  • how having a routine helps me in my own life.

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Does the thought of running small reading groups just fill you with overwhelm?

I know it used to for me. Here are some tips and thoughts for you.

  • Make sure you have an established area in the room to run your guided reading groups.
    • There are lots of things that you will need to have ready, and they need to be stored within reach.
  • When you are teaching in a small group situation it is important to make sure the rest of the class is not going to disturb you or need your attention.
    • The key to getting kids engaged and focused on a recurring activity is to TRAIN THEM.
  • Start slowly
    • teach only one or two new routines a day.
  • Some of the best teachers I have ever seen or worked with can get their whole class working on different things at their own level with little intervention from the teacher.
    • How do they do this???? ROUTINE ROUTINE ROUTINE
  • We talk about needing a routine for our class and our kids – what about for the teacher.

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Today I wanted to talk about the very first day of school. I'm going to give you an example plan of how I would do it. This is something that I've kind of tweaked over the years so it's always evolving, and especially with COVID I've had to make, accommodations, just like all of you have.  

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In this weeks episode I talk about my take on the value of Listening to Reading and why it's so important in Elementary School.

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In this episode I go over how I introduce and build Silent Reading time in my classroom.  I like to call it Read To Self as they are reading by themselves during this time.  I believe that you can do silent reading in most K to 2nd classrooms.  It just takes time to build stamina.  

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Let's talk about reading with peers.  Letting children not only choose what they read, but WHO they read it with can be very powerful.  It's highly motivating and children love having that little bit of control over what they are doing.  And reading with their friends is an excellent technique in any comprehensive reading program.  This is perfect for Kindergarten, First and Second grade classrooms.

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In this episode I tell an inspiring true story from my own teaching experience.

check out more on my blog
savvyteachingtips.com

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Today's episode covers Oral Reading.  Oral Reading is an important part of a comprehensive Literacy program.  In this episode I discuss:

  • What is Oral Reading?
  • Why is Oral Reading important?
  • Strategies to teach Oral Reading lessons in your K to 3rd classroom.

Find out more at 

savvyteachingtips.com

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In this episode we go over the essentials for direct reading instruction.   These include:

  • Decoding
  • Vocabulary
  • Building Working Memory
  • Fluency
  • Identifying Sentence Structure
  • Building Background Knowledge

Listen in to learn more about what these topics are and how they can be used and taught in reading instruction in the K to 3rd classroom.

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I've just started a podcast. I have so many tips and tricks to share with you. This episode is all about my thoughts about guided reading.

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