The Teacher Time Podcast: Recent Episodes
Stephanie Palovchik
You know how elementary teachers are always working long hours? What if it didn’t have to be like that? Join Stephanie Palovchik, a classroom kindergarten teacher, mama, and teacherpreneur, as she shares simple tips and productivity strategies for elementary teachers who want to get prepped before the weekend. If you’re an elementary teacher wondering how it’s possible to work a schedule you love and be an effective teacher, you’re in the right place. The Teacher Time Podcast is your place to get bite-sized professional development that they didn’t teach you in college.
Classroom organization is really important for elementary teachers. Solid organization can help you plan and prep more efficiently. As teachers, we have tons of options for how to organize our classrooms. But what are the best options that will make keeping up with classroom organization easy? In this episode, I’m sharing 3 of my favorite tools for teacher organization.
What’s Covered In This Episode:
- My favorite tool for digital organization - Google Drive - plus how to keep it organized.
- The best bins to organize your teacher resources
- Why drawers are a versatile tool for classroom organization and how to use them in your classroom.
Links Mentioned:
- Monthly Bin Labels
- 10 Drawer Cart
- Free Download: 5 Simple Tools to Organize Your Classroom
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
Teacher moms, this one’s for you! During the school year, we have a routine every single day. Then summer comes… and while the break is much needed, this big shift in routine can be challenging, especially with kids. In this episode, I’m sharing the very flexible daily routine that I follow as a teacher mom on summer break.
What’s Covered In This Episode:
- Why having a general routine for summer break is helpful
- How I break up our day
- Examples of activities we do during each part of our day
Links Mentioned:
- College 2 Classroom Summit is happening TODAY: June 27th. Grab your ticket here!
- Free Self Care Summer Planner
Loving the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. I'll give you a shout out on an upcoming episode, and you'll be helping other teachers decide if The Teacher Time Podcast is going to be their next listen. You can leave your review HERE. Thank you for your support, teacher friend!
If I could go back in time and tell my first year teacher self anything … these would be the first two pieces of advice I would give. And since I can’t go back in time, I’m just recording myself sharing this advice with all of you. Whether you’re a new teacher, seasoned teacher, or somewhere in between, this episode has advice everyone can use!
What’s Covered In this Episode:
- What makes teaching so hard during the first year (my personal experience)
- The one thing you absolutely must be clear on before students step foot in your classroom
- How to make teaching sustainable from the beginning
Links Mentioned:
- Grab your ticket to the College 2 Classroom Virtual Summit! I’ll be guest speaking on today’s topic. You’ll gain access to all presentations from experienced educators who are ready to help you be the best teacher you can be!
- Editable Classroom Handbook
Your school year has been busy and you are ready for summer break. But shutting your teacher brain off is easier said than done. How can you decompress after a busy school year so that you’re able to truly relax this summer? We’ll answer that question in this episode.
- The rule that will help you actually take a break
- How routines can be helpful tools for teachers on summer break
- Ideas that will get your mind off your classroom
Links Mentioned:
- End of Year Teacher Guide
There's so much to do at the end of the school year. You have report cards to complete and a classroom to pack up. But what about your students? Maybe you feel the pressure to plan some extra fancy activities. Maybe you're so overwhelmed by everything else on your to-do list that you have no idea what to plan. I have good news - You can keep your last week plans simple, but meaningful.
What's Covered in this Episode:
- Easy activity ideas for the end of the school year
- Tips that will save you time and energy
- Simple end-of-year gift ideas
Links Mentioned:
- End of Year Series Playlist
- End of Year Checklists and Guide
- End of Year Slideshow Template
It's time for a replay! This week, we're republishing a highly requested episode from our End of Year Teacher Series that went live in 2022.
This episode is the second of four in our End of Year Teacher Series. In this episode, we talk all about one thing you should be doing at the end of the school year to make your life easier later. What is it? Decluttering your classroom.
Inside the episode, I'll go through 3 steps to make sure you're tidying your classroom so you're scrambling to do it during the back to school season. You can find the full website show notes here.
What's Covered In This Episode:
-
The importance of decluttering
-
A rule of thumb for deciding what to keep and what to get rid of
-
Why you should be taking inventory of what you have
-
How to put things back so you're not kicking yourself later
It’s about that time in the school year where you’re going to be packing up your classroom. Maybe you're decluttering a little bit and thinking about what you want to change for the upcoming year. Whether you're making updates to your classroom set up, classroom organization, planning, or even classroom management. In this episode, I'm sharing a big picture of the 4 ways you can make sure to be packed and organized before leaving your classroom for summer break!
What's Covered in this Episode:
- What to include in your pack up steps
- A rule of thumb that will help you declutter
- The main things to organize at the end of the year
- What you actually want to prep now
Download the Free End of Year Guide for checklists, tips, and a podcast playlist that will help you leave work at work over the summer.
Does writing report card comments take hours because you’re just not sure what to write? If you dread report card season every quarter and desperately want writing comments to be easier, you’ve come to the right place. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down how to make writing report card comments easy in 3 steps.
In This Episode About Report Card Comment Tips, You’ll Learn:
- How to make sure you're not writing comments at the very last minute
- The easiest hack to remember what you've written for students each quarter
- The best tip that will save you HOURS on comment writing
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
- Get Done for You Report Card Comment Templates, including editable resources for you to write/save comments and go-to phrases for when you get stuck!
- Listen to Episode 95 for report card mistakes to avoid
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
Report cards can be a hefty task, I get it. If report cards have been taking you hours upon hours to do, then you are going to love this episode! I’m sharing 3 mistakes that I’ve made when it comes to writing report cards to help you with what not to do so you can write accurate and objective report cards for your students in less than 2 hours.
What's Covered in This Episode:
- A quick fix to make sure you're not super stressed during report card season
- How I always know what to write in report card comments (and you can too)
- One thing you need to make grading easier
Links Mentioned:
- Report Card Comment Templates + Guide
If you're loving the podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts HERE.
We're nearing the end of the year and your students are tired, you're tired, but learning still has to happen. How are you going to keep your students engaged? Today I'm sharing 3 engagement strategies that you can use with your students right away. Not just at the end of the year, but all the time! The best thing about these strategies is they are absolutely no-prep. The only thing you need is yourself and your students!
What's Covered In This Episode:
- Why easy engagement strategies are the way to go
- 3 super simple ways you can engage your students and make learning fun
- How these engagement strategies help students practice active listening skills
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
- What's Your Secret to Weekend Freedom as a Teacher? Take the Free Quiz to find out!
- Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
This month we’ve been covering topics around teacher burnout and stress management. And I cannot think of a better way to wrap up this month’s episode than with this conversation I had with Jen Rafferty. Talking with Jen truly felt like talking with a friend who just gets it and who understands the importance of teachers taking care of themselves so they cna show up as their best selves, not only in the classroom but outside of the classroom too. There is so much to take away from thos conversation, from how to aim for a work life BLEND, not balance, what’s keeping teachers from true work satisfaction, and so much more. Presenter and author Jen Rafferty started her teaching career as a middle school teacher in Central New York for 15 years. She founded Empowered Educator in 2020 as a response to teacher burnout during the pandemic. Jen is known for bringing her energy, humor and expertise in her presentations while inspiring educators to stay connected to their "why." Jen is a certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology.Since its inception, the Empowered Educator has reached teachers and school leaders all over the world. Jen has been featured in Authority Magazine, Medium, Thrive Global, and VoyageMIA. She is the author of the Amazon bestseller, A Place in the Staff: Finding Your Way as a Music Teacher.Jen's insatiable curiosity continues to make the Empowered Educator programs relevant and reflective of the most up-to-date research in mindset, leadership, and cognitive neuroscience. She is committed to inspiring teachers and school leaders to discover their voice and maintain a healthy longevity throughout their careers.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:What your sacrifice/renewal cycle is and how it’s both the problem & the solution for burnout. Why Work/life balance is a lie The difference between positive psychology and toxic positivity. The impact that "Shoulds" and "supposed-to's" have on your work satisfactionLinks Mentioned in the Episode:https://empowerededucator.com/resourcesReady to be more productive during your limited prep?Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Do you experience the Sunday Scaries as a teacher? Unfortunately, this can be a common experience, but it doesn't have to be your "normal." In this episode, we're talking about understanding what the Sunday Scaries are, why they happen, and some really simple things you can do to help eliminate those feelings.
In this Episode, You'll Learn:
- What causes you to experience the Sunday Scaries
- How proactive planning during the week can help on Sunday
- Simple mindset shifts to decrease feelings of anxiety at the start of a new week
- Why routine is important
Links Mentioned:
- Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
- Download this Free To-Do List for Teachers
Shop my TPT Store: Teaching Little Leaders for time-saving templates + activities
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep? Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
Teacher burnout is unfortunately a common experience for many. But did you know that your burnout is unique to you? And how you overcome that burnout depends on what kind of burnout you’re experiencing? This week I’m joined by Amber Harper, who shares how she used her teacher burnout as a catalyst for change and how you can too!
Amber Harper is a Kindergarten Teacher, author of Hacking Teacher Burnout, podcaster, and Teacher Burnout Coach. She gives struggling teachers a path to follow as they navigate their way out of burnout by helping them grow through their burnout and take their next best steps toward what they want from their career in education and in life. You can learn more about her and the services she offers at www.burnedinteacher.com.
In This Episode About Overcoming Teacher Burnout You’ll Learn:
- Common signs of burnout
- Unconventional, but effective, self care tips
- Different types of burnout that teachers experience
- How that burnout can be a catalyst for change
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
- Free Quiz: Identify Your Teacher Burnout Type
- Hacking Teacher Burnout by Amber Harper
- Visit Amber’s website: http://www.burnedinteacher.com/
- TPT Store
- Connect with Amber on Instagram
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
How often have you heard someone say they're feeling "teacher tired?" More times than you can count, right? We're all excited for Friday afternoon and the weekend break, but more often than not, many teachers spend their entire weekend working ... writing lesson plans and preparing materials.A break never happens. Recharging doesn't happen. And then we re-enter another work week on Monday feeling just as drained as we did when we left work on Friday. It's time to break this cycle!
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- Why and how to let go of the "shoulds" in your life
- The importance of redefining what it means to be a good teacher
- A practical way to use "planful problem solving" to maximize the time you have
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
- Download the Free To-Do List Template for Busy Teachers
- Join Prep Time Makeover
- Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Are you a fan of The Teacher Time Podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts and I'll give you a shoutout in an upcoming episode!
As a teacher, it can be frustrating when your students won't stop talking and interrupting your lessons. However, there are effective strategies you can use to manage student talking and create a more productive learning environment.
In this episode, Gina from Teaching with Heart joins me to share simple, effective ways to address constant talking in your classroom that will best support your students.
Gina is a kindergarten teacher with over 10 years of classroom experience. She is a classroom and behavior management coach for teachers both in person and online through her website, Teaching with Heart. She is passionate about helping elementary educators change challenging student behavior by figuring out the "why" behind it.
In this Episode About Managing Student Talking in your Classroom, You'll Learn:
- Common responses that most teachers have when trying to stop students from talking and why they don't work
- How you can start decreasing the amount of talking that's happening in your classroom
- The importance of understanding the "why" behind the talking
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
- Download the Free Guide: The 1 Thing You Need to Know to Stop the Constant Talking
- Join Teaching Uninterrupted
- Listen to Episode 62: 5 Parts to an Effective Classroom Management Plan
- Teaching With Heart Website
- Connect with Gina on Instagram: @teachingwithheart
- Teaching with Heart TpT Store
How many times have you sat down during your prep time and felt too exhausted to get anything done? Or by the time you do have the energy to start prepping, your planning time is over? In this episode we address what's causing that teacher tired feeling and a simple strategy that will help you have a productive prep time throughout the week.
In This Episode About Teacher Time Management, You’ll Learn:
- How decision fatigue plays a role in your ability to get things done during your prep time
- The most common mistake teachers make that's costing time and energy
- What a prep routine is and why it's essential for elementary teachers
- Simple tips for creating your own prep routine
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
- Join Prep Time Makeover!
- Listen to episode 87: 5 Essential Time Management Tips for Busy Teachers
- Listen to episode 88: 3 Common Prep Time Problems and Their Solutions
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
So you want to get planned and prepped ahead of time, BUT all of these problems keep popping up during your already limited prep time. How are you ever going to catch up on everything you have to do? Is it even possible to enjoy a weekend without having your teacher bag by your side? In this episode, we are addressing some common prep time problems that elementary teachers experience AND tips and tricks to help you solve them.
In This Episode About Teacher Prep Time We Cover:
- Solutions for dealing with distractions and interruptions during your prep time
- A practical way to combat feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list
- What to do if you feel like you just don’t have enough time
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
- Join Prep Time Makeover
- Listen to Episode 86: 5 Essential Time Management Tips for Busy Elementary Teachers
- Listen to Episode 55: Getting Planned with 0 Minutes of Prep Time with Kassandra
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
You are a busy elementary teacher with a lot on your plate and not a ton of time to do it in. This episode is kicking off our prep time productivity series, where we'll explore time management and prep time tips you haven't been getting trained on, but should be! In this episode, we will talk about essential time management strategies that every elementary teacher needs in order to make the most of their planning time so they can focus more on teaching!
In This Episode About Teacher Time Management, You’ll Learn:
- How to instantly decrease mental overwhelm
- Strategies for minimizing distractions
- What to do if you find yourself multi-tasking
- A proven productivity strategy that will help you make the most of your time
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
- Top 10 Time Management Tips for Elementary Teachers
- Prep Time Makeover Pre-Sale - Get more info about the mini-training and join at a discounted rate!
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
Ever wonder how to write a small group lesson plan that's effective but also doesn't take a ton of your time? In this episode, we'll walk through a guide to crafting plans for your small group instruction. I'm sharing my best tips and strategies for creating clear and specific objectives, warm-up activities, teaching points, and practice activities.
This episode is part 2 of 2 in our small group planning series.
In this episode about small group instruction, you’ll learn:
- How to write clear and specific objectives
- Ideas for different types of warm-up activities to use in small group instruction
- Tips for breaking down new skills into manageable chunks for students to learn
- Ideas for activities that provide students with opportunities to practice the new skill
Related Links:
- Listen to Episode 84: 5 Strategies for Meaningful Small Group Instruction
- Small Group Lesson Planning Templates
Take a screenshot of this episode, share it on social media, and tag me @teachinglittleleaders! Let me know which lesson planning tip was your favorite.
Does planning for small group lessons feel like one more thing on your plate (that often gets pushed to the back burner)? If you’re struggling to fit planning for small groups into your day and looking for effective strategies that will help you keep it simple and get them done, this episode is for you!
Small group instruction is a great way to engage students and promote active learning. In this episode, you’ll learn five strategies to make the most of your small-group lessons.
This episode is part 1 of 2 in a small group planning series!
In this episode about small group instruction, you’ll learn:
- The first thing to do if you’re feeling stuck about what to teach during small groups
- Why having a framework for your lessons will save you tons of time on planning (plus get an example you can use right away).
- An important shift in grouping that will help you plan purposeful lessons
Takea screenshot of this episode, share on social media, and tag me @teachinglittleleaders! Let me know which strategy you’re most excited to try!
In next week’s episode, we’re diving into how to write a small group lesson plan that’s effective in a snap. Make sure to tune in every Tuesday for more time management and planning tips that will help you keep things simple, find joy in teaching, and leave work at work!
Related Links:
- Brand New Small group Template Pack! (COMING SOON - Click here to get notified when it's live) This resource has everything you need to plan lessons for your small groups!
Are you looking for fun valentine's day activities you can use with your students this month? We've got you covered with plenty of fun activities for your kindergarteners! Check out our list of 5 ideas you can use right away.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- 5 activities to use in your Kindergarten Classroom for Valentine’s Day
- How to break down the objectives for each activity into lessons to use all week long!
- Easy ways to differentiate each activity for all learners
Links Mentioned in This Episode:
- February Counting Mats
- Valentine's Day Counting Centers
- Printable Cards for a Writing Center
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
Did you love this episode? Consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts! I'd love to give you a shoutout on an upcoming episode!
In this episode of the Teacher Time Podcast, we're diving into how to write lesson plans without feeling overwhelmed. Listen in as we share step-by-step tips and strategies for using simple tools to stay organized, focused, and productive while planning for the week ahead.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How to use a long-term planning template to see what you'll be teaching each week and identify any resources you may need to prepare.
- The benefits of breaking down your weekly focus and objectives into daily plans, and why this helps to avoid multi-tasking and decision fatigue.
- How to use frameworks to streamline your lesson planning process, so you can get it done quickly and efficiently.
- The power of using slides in your lessons, and how a pre-made template can save you time and help you stay organized.
Don't forget to grab your lesson plan templates and subject slides from our TpT store! For January 31st and February 1st, we're offering them on sale!
Links Mentioned:
- Lesson Plan Templates
- Subject Slides
Did you love this episode? Consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts! I'd love to give you a shoutout on an upcoming episode!
Around here we're all about helping busy elementary teachers save time on planning and prepping. In today's episode, we're discussing how to plan an effective morning meeting for your elementary classroom in 10 minutes or less. Morning Meeting has been a hot topic in elementary classrooms for the past several years, and for a good reason! They help establish an maintain classroom community, and are a fantastic time to practice social-emotional learning skills with your students. But since they're such a routine part of our day, sometimes planning morning meeting can feel challenging. What should the format be? How can you keep students engaged while teaching important skills? In this episode, we begin to dive into how you can plan an effective morning meeting quickly.
In this episode about Planning Elementary Morning Meetings, you'll learn:* What a morning meeting is and why it's important for the classroom * How to plan an effective morning meeting in just 10 minutes or less * The importance of a consistent structure for your morning meetings * How to save time by creating a bank of ideas for your morning meetings * How to use visuals to make your morning meetings engaging for both you and your students
We'll also be providing an example of planning for a morning meeting, as well as tips on how to make the most out of your morning meeting routine. Remember, a consistent structure, having go-to ideas, and visuals are key to making planning and teaching morning meeting a breeze.
Resources for Planning Effective Morning Meetings: Free Morning Meeting Ideas List with 65 ideas for greetings, share topics, and activities! * Editable Morning Meeting Slides* with hundreds of ideas for your elementary classroom!
Related Episodes and Blog Posts: Effective Morning Meeting Ideas and Plans for Elementary Classrooms * Easy Ideas for Morning Meeting In Your Elementary Classroom*
Stay Connected:* Come hang on Instagram: @teachinglittleleaders * Shop my TpT Store: Teaching Little Leaders * Subscribe to my Weekly Newsletter: Teacher Time Tuesdays
In this episode, I'm joined by an elementary teacher, Maggie, who shares her inspiring story, from feeling completely worn down and burnt out, to how she decided to make a change that would allow her to be the productive, happy teacher she always wanted to be.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- How Maggie went from completely overwhelmed and on the verge of burnout to managing her planning time effectively.
- What has had the biggest impact on managing lesson planning, prepping, and teacher guilt
- Maggie's experience as a member of the Teacher Time University Course
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
- Join Teacher Time University and learn how to get planned, prepped, and organized for the following week before the weekend!
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
Do you feel like everything in your teacher life is out of control? Today I want to share how a simple, intentional reflection can help you regain control and be on your way to being the teacher you want to be. In this episode, we practice self-reflection and identifying what purposeful changes we can make to be more productive, happier teachers in 2023.
In This Episode About Self Reflection and Improving Productivity for Elementary Teachers, You’ll Learn:
- 2 steps to becoming the teacher you want to be moving forward (even when it feels like everything is out of your control)
- About two teachers who began managing time effectively in the classroom, despite obstacles like lack of time and long to-do lists.
- What reflections and decisions can help you do the same
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
- Listen to this interview with Kassandra: Getting Planned with 0 Minutes of Prep Time
- Sign up for the Free Teacher Time Reset Event: 3 Simple Steps to Reclaiming Your Prep Time and Weekends in 2023!
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
Teacher boundaries and mental health are so important. How often do you wish you could just take something off your plate or you could leave work without feeling guilty about everything that has to get done?
There’s no doubt that teachers have a lot to do and not a ton of time to do it in. It can lead to feelings of stress and overwhelm. But what if I told you there are things you CAN do, things you’re ALLOWED to do, that will help you let go of some of that stress and actually impact your mental health in a positive way?
In This Episode About Teacher Boundaries and Time Management Strategies, You’ll Learn:
- The importance of being proactive (and I’ll share a personal story about putting too much pressure on myself)
- How to take some things off you’re plate
- The boundary that will help you work a schedule you’re happy with
- A common misconception that’s causing you to work more than necessary
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
It can be hard to let go of work on weekends because there’s so much on your to-do list, and often limited time to get it done in. When you leave work on Friday, it can be hard to shut your teacher brain off, which then affects your life outside of work - making it hard to be present with family or truly enjoy your “free” time.
In this episode, I’m sharing a practical Friday routine for teachers that will help you truly take a break on the weekends, so you can be a happier, more present teacher, come Monday morning.
In This Episode About Teacher Routines, You’ll Learn:
- The importance of utilizing routines as a teacher
- How to make sure you’re not rushing to get prepped Monday morning
- An easy task that will help you ditch the work temptation over the weekend
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
Looking for easy and engaging activities for December in the classroom? In this episode, we’ll help you plan faster with fun, low-prep activity ideas you can use in your elementary classroom.
In This Episode About December Classroom Activities You’ll Learn:
- An important shift that will help you find more joy while teaching in December
- A simple way to combine writing and a gingerbread theme in a meaningful way
- How using these common items as math manipulatives can increase student engagement while keeping learning authentic.
- A simple, no prep activity that supports culturally responsive learning.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
- December Math Tasks - contains gumdrop patterns lesson + more!
- Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt
- December Counting Mats
- Episode 67: October Theme Ideas for Elementary Classrooms - in this episode, we discuss the ways themes can help you simplify lesson planning.
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
Do you know that phonics is important, but are wondering how to plan simple and engaging phonics lessons that work? In this episode, I'm joined by Kristina from Sweet for Kindergarten as she shares exactly how you can plan phonics lessons that are effective, without taking tons of your time!
Kristina taught Kindergarten for 6 years, but now stays home with her little ones. She is passionate about phonics, writing, and fine motor skills and shares simple ideas to make learning fun and engaging.
In This Episode About Planning Engaging Phonics Lessons, You’ll Learn:
- Common problems that elementary teachers run into when teaching phonics
- Simple solutions to help you solve problems (like having limited time!)
- A step-by-step process for teaching phonics in your elementary classroom
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
- Download a Free Phonics Lesson Plan on CVC Words
Connect with Kristina:
- Visit the Sweet for Kindergarten Website
- Shop Sweet for Kindergarten on TpT
- Connect with Kristina on Instagram @sweetforkindergarten
- Join Kristina's Free Facebook Group: Kindergarten Tips and Tricks
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
You're about to go on Thanksgiving Break, and in a few weeks, winter break. You’re torn between taking a break and bringing work home to “catch up” because you’ll “have more time.” So what should you do? Well, as you can see the answer is in the title but in this episode, I'm going to tell you exactly why leaving work at work over any kind of break is good for your teacher soul.
In This Episode About Using Teacher Boundaries, You’ll Learn:
- Eye-opening statistics about teacher burnout
- The main thing most teachers forget about taking breaks because they have so much on their plates.
- The surprising truth about how taking breaks can actually help you (even when you have more on your to-do list)
- The positive effect that taking breaks and setting boundaries around when you will and won't lesson plan can have on you.
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher boundaries.
Are your students struggling with being independent during learning activities? Are you dealing with constant interruptions during small groups or off-task students? I can’t promise this episode will solve every problem, but I can share a few things I make sure are always on my slides that have helped my students stay on task and lessen interruptions throughout the day.
In This Episode About Using Teaching Slides to Increase Student Independence, You’ll Learn:
- Why using slides is extremely helpful for teachers and students
- A simple way to personalize your slides and help students remember expectations
- Why adding this ONE type of image will help students with managing materials
- How to help students with transitions (without you having to repeat your directions)
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
- TLL Subject Slides on TpT
- Episode 39: How You Can Use Slides In Your Classroom to Save Time
- Blog Post: How to Add a Timer to Google Slides
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about using slides in the classroom.
Do you find that your teacher desk is constantly covered in papers? Is it hard to keep track of all of the copies and materials that you need throughout the school week for all of your lessons? In this episode, we’ll talk about a simple solution to managing all of your weekly materials with ease so you can be ready to teach instead of searching for materials at the start of your lessons.
In This Episode About Teacher Organization, You’ll Learn:
- An easy way to make sure you have everything you need
- A solution for organizing all of your weekly copies
- What to do with materials that you find yourself passing out all the time
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
- Teacher To-Do List Template
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher organization.
Are you and your grade-level team trying to plan together, but struggling to be productive? Maybe you’re frustrated because you know that planning together could be such a time-saver (not to mention reduce your stress) but it’s not going the way you hoped.
You’re left wondering - how can we solve this problem? CAN we solve this problem? What (if anything) can you do that will help you and your teammates get more done during your limited planning time?
In this episode, I’m sharing 7 tips that will help you lesson plan with your teammates so that you can stop taking all the work on yourself and start getting more done together - for you and your students.
In This Episode About Teacher Collaboration, You’ll Learn:
- Why teacher collaboration is important
- What you’ll want to set up with your team
- How to make sure you’re working smarter, not harder, by sharing responsibilities
- Some key things to keep in mind, whether you’re a team that's new to working together, or have been a grade-level team for some time.
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
- Planning Template
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time”
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher collaboration.
Ready to take back your weekends for good? My course, Teacher Time University is currently open for enrollment until Sunday, November 6th at 11:59pm!
In this episode, I'm joined by Caitie Cupples, who has 3 tips to share that are going to make community building in your elementary classroom feel sustainable all year long. She shares simple tips, mindset shifts, and examples that you can take and use right away in your classroom!
Caitie is a 2nd grade teacher turned instructional coach passionate about helping elementary teachers build kind, inclusive classroom communities where all students feel successful, confident, and like they truly belong.
What's Covered In This Episode:
- Helpful mindset shifts to make around classroom community
- How classroom rituals can help make community building part of your every day routine (plus examples of those!)
- An easy way to integrate community building into your day
- How to keep community building consistent in your classroom without the overwhelm
Links Mentioned:
- Download Caitie's Free Guide: 101 Conversation Starters to Use With Elementary Students
- Connect with Caitie on Instagram @caitiecupplesteaching
- Visit Caitie's TpT Store
- Visit Caitie's Website
How long does it take you to schedule parent-teacher conferences? If you’re still doing this by hand - or maybe you’re just done with the sign up form you have been using - I’m going to share an easy way to get your conferences scheduled using google sheets.
What's Covered In This Episode:
- Why Google Sheets are helpful for scheduling conferences
- How to set up a google sheets document for parent-teacher conference scheduling
Links Mentioned:
- Listen to Episode 25: Parent Teacher Conference Tips for Lower Elementary Teachers
- Be ready for conferences ASAP with this Editable Parent Teacher Conference Pack
Imagine what it would feel like if you no longer had to worry about writing your lesson plans over the weekend, and instead you could focus on other things that you WANT to be doing?!
It IS possible!
What's Covered In This Episode:
- Lesson Planning reflection questions
- The best day to lesson plan
- WHY this day is a great day to get your lesson plans done
- Examples of how this can work for you, even if you feel like you're constantly playing catch up
Links Mentioned:
- Read this blog post: When is the Best Time to Lesson Plan?
- Watch this 7 minute IG Live Video for more tips: The Best Time to Lesson Plan
- Get on the TTU Waitlist for an exclusive offer when doors open
Who else has ever sat down to lesson plan and felt totally blank on ideas. Like you know what skill you need to teach but you’re not sure how to break down a lesson plan to teach that skill. In this episode, I’m sharing how using themes can help you get the ball rolling on ideas, and even sharing a few themes and ideas you can use this month.
What's Covered In the Episode:
- 3 Theme Ideas you can use in October
- Why they lend themselves well to lesson planning
- Activity examples for each theme
Links Mentioned:
- October plans done for you?! Check out all TLL October resources here.
- Get on the Teacher Time University Course Waitlist for an exclusive bonus when doors open again
We all know that burnout is unfortunately too common in the teacher world. And if you're trying to beat burnout, you're likely looking to ditch feeling like you're always in work mode and more like you have the space to be the you that you want to be. this episode, I'm joined by Brittany Blackwell, who shares insight into how teachers can have more of a work-life balance this school year.
Brittany Blackwell, M.Ed. is an award-winning special educator and teacher resilience strategist from South Carolina with over ten years of experience working with elementary and middle school classrooms. Brittany is no stranger to teacher burnout and has a passion for empowering teachers, parents, and students to prioritize self-care and mental health. Brittany's digital approach to self-care through digital planning, vision boards, and sustainable strategies has reached the homes of thousands of educators across the world. Also known as "MsPrincessTeach" on Tiktok, Brittany's social media following grew through her fast-paced, lighthearted tutorials and humorous real life experiences. Brittany helps teachers create their own Individualized Resilience Plan by providing sustainable strategies, personal coaching, mindset shifting, and digital resources to reduce stress, automate the mundane tasks of teaching, and prevent overall teacher burnout. Her approach gives support so that educators can maximize fulfillment and effectiveness in their personal and professional lives.
What's Covered in this Episode:
- Statistics that will blow your mind about teacher work-life balance
- How an unbalanced workload impacts not only educators, but students and communities as well
- Why teachers need better work-life balance
- How do teachers balance work and life during the school year?
- Three ways every teacher can gain better work-life balance
- How to audit your teacher life and tasks so you can be more balance
Links:
Listen to Brittany's Podcast: The Resilient Teacher Podcast
Follow Brittany on Tiktok
Connect with Brittany on Instagram
Check Out Brittany's Website
Watch Brittany's Free Training: Balance Before Burnout: Audit Your Work-Life Balance in Less than 10 Minutes
Other Links: http://www.teachingmindbodyandsoul.com/links
One thing that makes planning centers easier, is having activities that you use over and over again. In this episode of The Teacher Time Podcast, I’m sharing a literacy center idea that you can use all year long.
If you haven’t listened to episode 63 or episode 64, you’re definitely going to want to listen to those! In those episodes we talked about a consideration that would make prepping easier for you AND increase student independence.
What's Covered In This Episode:
- A reminder about how much you actually need to switch out centers
- A meaningful literacy center you can use in your classroom all year long, including materials you'll need and how to implement it
Links:
- Magic Letter and Sight Word Printables
- Center Slides Bundle with Automatic Timers
- Episode 63: Center Tips to Help with Student Independence
- Episode 64: A Math Center You Can Use All Year Long
What makes planning center activities a challenge? Is it that you have to differentiate for so many learners? Is it that you need new activities more often than you can keep up with? In this episode of The Teacher Time Podcast, I have a Math Center Activity to share with you that you can use all year long!
What's Covered in this Episode:
- How often you actually need to change your centers out
- A solution to trying to figure out what to plan for your centers
- A simple and meaningful math center that you can use in your classroom all year long! Including what materials you'll need and how to implement
Links:
- Yearlong Counting Mats for K-1
- Center Slides Bundle with Automatic Timers
- Connect with Stephanie on Instagram - @teachinglittleleaders
If you have ever felt like your centers were disorganized or like students struggled to be independent during centers, you're going to love this episode. There are so many amazing ways to organize centers, but it’s most important to find a system that works for you!
When I first started centers in my classroom (as a first year teacher) I was so lost. The idea of my students rotating around the room, where to store centers, how students would get them … I just couldn’t wrap my head around it all. As a result, my centers definitely were not as efficient and effective as they could have been.
Fast forward to today - I have clarity around activity organization and center rotations that helps everything run smoothly. Today, I'm sharing tips that will help you do the same!
What's Covered in this Episode:
- How you absolutely must label your center activities
- How visuals during centers will help your students be independent
- The key to long term center success
Links Mentioned:
- TLL Center Slides with Automatic Timers
- Blog Post: How to Maximize Student Independence During Centers
Have you tried all kinds of classroom management tricks, only to feel like none of them are working? If yes, you're going to love today's episode! In this episode, I'm joined by Gina of Teaching with Heart, and she is shares the 5 essential parts that make up an effective classroom management plan.
Gina is a kindergarten teacher with over 10 years of classroom experience. She is a classroom and behavior management coach for teachers both in person and online through her website, Teaching with Heart. She is passionate about helping elementary educators change challenging student behavior by figuring out the "why" behind it.
What's Covered in This Episode:
- The one thing you must do at the start of the year to create a positive impact on students and families
- The importance of explicit expectations, routines, and procedures
- The real reason your students might be struggling to follow class routines and what to do about it
- How to reinforce positive behavior in a meaningful and effective way
- The key to addressing challenging behavior in your classroom
Links:
Connect with Gina on Instagram: @teachingwithheart
Check out her website
Teaching with Heart TpT Store
Free Download: How to Create Effective Classroom Rules
How long does lesson planning take you? Every time I’ve asked this question on social media, the responses range from about an hour to over 5 hours weekly. I’m here to tell you, that it does NOT have to take hours upon hours to write your lesson plans… and it shouldn’t.
In this episode, I want you to know that you can write effective lesson plans, and it doesn’t have to take you all weekend.
What’s Covered In This Episode:
- The one tool you need to ensure you’re not starting from scratch on your lesson plans each week
- How to avoid writing pages and pages of lesson plans
- An easy trick that will help you complete lesson plans
Links Mentioned:
- TLL Lesson Plan Templates Pack
- Blog Post: More Tips for Writing Lesson Plans
Back to School Night / Meet the Teacher events are important parts of the start of a school year. In this episode I’m sharing tips to make your back to school night a success. I want to help you prep this in a simple and effective way so it doesn’t feel like another thing hanging over your head.
Many teachers have said that they feel really comfortable talking with kids, but presenting in front of adults is a whole different experience. Can you relate? I know I can. On top of just the fact that you have to present to a room of adults, there can be a lot of information to remember for this one day or night.
That’s why today, I’m going to give you a few simple tips that will help you feel confident in what you’re presenting and organized.
What’s Covered in the Episode:
- 5 tips that will help you organize and simplify your back to school night
- The one tool that will help you feel more confident when presenting
- How to share about your classroom wishlist
- What you absolutely must have ready to share with families (and an easy way to do it)
- The simplest way to share back to school forms with families
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
- Open House Slides (Editable)
- Weekly and Daily Schedule Templates (Editable)
Do you ever wonder what resources or activities you actually need to have ready as you head back to school? In this episode, I'm rounding up a couple of resources that will make a positive difference in how prepared you feel at the start of the school year.
What's Covered In This Episode:
- The 4 resources every elementary teacher needs when heading back to school
- Why you need these resources/how they'll save you time
Links Mentioned:
- Preppy Lemon Teacher Planner
- Teaching Little Leaders Subject Slides
- Teaching Little Leaders Lesson Planning Templates
- Math Counting Mats for the Year
In this episode we are talking about setting up your elementary classroom. I’m giving you some friendly reminders and sharing my top tips for setting up your classroom in a way that’s purposeful!
What's Covered in the Episode:
- Top 5 reminders for elementary teachers when it comes to classroom set up
- Classroom set up tips and tricks to keep things purposeful and less stressful
Ready to set up an organized classroom? Download my FREE Organization Guide for Elementary Teachers!
In this episode We are continuing talking about all things teacher productivity and how you can stay on top of your game this school year. Today I'm going to be sharing 3 things you can do to make sure that you have a productive week, And the cool thing is this can help you when you head back to school but if you're still on summer break you can start practicing these simple things during your day now too so that they become a part of your daily habits.
What's Covered in the Episode:
- A quick tip for having a workspace that allows you to be productive
- An easy way to decrease distractions at work
- The game-changing strategy that will help you prioritize what matters
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Check out this blog post: 3 Things Teachers Can Do to Have a Productive Week
- Download the Free Productivity Guide
This is a very exciting week on the podcast because for this episode I'm going to be sharing a recap of what we covered during the teacher time management challenge masterclass which happened last night. This masterclass was a very special kickoff event to the opening of my signature program: Teacher Time University.
ACCESS THE FREE MASTERCLASS HERE
JOIN TEACHER TIME UNIVERSITY - Doors open for a limited time
What’s Covered in this Episode:
- What’s actually possible for you this school year
- Why you should decide on a teacher mantra (plus examples)
- 3 strategies for simplifying this school year so you can save time
Do you ever wonder if it’s even possible to be the kind of teacher who leaves work at work? Who has all of her lessons planned, prepped, and ready to go the week before? Who gets to spend their weekends with their family, working on house projects, going on outings - without the guilt? In this episode, I’m joined by Kassie - a teacher who’s doing exactly that, and all with 0 minutes of provided prep time. What’s Covered In This Episode:
The “before” of Kassie’s Teacher Transformation The “after” - how she’s getting planned and prepped without working 24/7
Sign up for the FREE Teacher Time Management Challenge: www.teachinglittleleaders.com/challenge
What if this was the school year that you were finally planned organized and prepped before the weekend? It’s possible, you know, and in this episode, I’m going to tell you how.
We all know teachers tons of to-dos on their plates, and not a lot of time to get them done. On top of all that,
you’re also responsible for educating every unique student in your classroom. It’s easy to feel like you’re becoming the distracted teacher who doesn’t get to focus on the best part of your job (teaching) when there’s so much lesson planning, prepping, and organization that needs to be upheld.
Not anymore!
What’s Covered In This Episode:
- Why you’ve felt distracted and overwhelmed up until now
- Setting goals for the kind of teacher you’ll be this year
- How I started leaving work at work
- How I continue to leave work at work
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
- Free Productivity Guide for Elementary Teachers
- Get on the Teacher Time University Waitlist (doors open July 18th)
Let’s talk about prep time. It’s quick and often interrupted. If you spent this school year feeling rushed and insanely busy during your planning time, only to end of up bringing work home with you night after night - this episode is for you!
What’s Covered in this Episode:
- Why prep time feels so rushed
- How teachers can (and are) getting more done during their 30 minute prep
- Top 5 mistakes to avoid during your prep time to make sure you’re one of those teachers too!
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
- Free Productivity Guide for Elementary Teachers
- Get on the Teacher Time University Waitlist (doors open July 18th)
Are you struggling with feeling like you should be catching up on all the school work this summer, while also relaxing? In this episode of the podcast, I want to show you that taking a break during summer is healthy, it’s good for you, and YOU DESERVE IT. That said, taking a break can be hard. Luckily, I’ve curated a list of 7 simple boundaries you can set for yourself (or pick and choose just a few) that will help you actually take a break this summer.
What’s Covered in the Episode:
- Why taking a break is important for teachers And the risk of NOT taking a break
- 7 boundaries that will help you turn your teacher brain off of a chunk of time
- How you can balance taking a break with a little bit of productivity that won’t burn you out
Links from the episode:
- Free Productivity Guide for Teachers
- Get on the Teacher Time University Waitlist (doors open July 18th).
If you loved this episode, please rate and review on Apple Podcasts, or share with a teacher friend who would love it too!
Are you on the road to teacher burnout? If so, you're not alone, but you also don't have to stay on that road. In this episode, we talk about 4 simple tips to help you overcome burnout fast - and now is the perfect time to do it!
What's Covered in this Episode:
- The number one thing you must do to stop burnout in its tracks
- How to make doable progress toward working less
- The importance of intentional connection (or disconnection)
- Simple prompts to help you get reacquainted with the values that will keep you from heading down the burnout road again
If you shared Episode 50 of the podcast on social media, be sure to check my Instagram stories TODAY to find out if you won the special giveaway!
Download my FREE Productivity Guide for Elementary Teachers and start practicing boundaries to help you ditch burnout now.
It's the 50th Episode of The Teacher Time Podcast and we're celebrating in a big way! In this episode, you'll hear from 5 teachers who shared their own Glows and Grows from this school year! This episode also features a special GIVEAWAY that will help set you up with some fabulous teacher tools before next school year.
The end of the year is a great time to reflect, to celebrate the positives, and set goals for yourself moving forward. And rather than hearing my reflections, I wanted to share with you the glows and grows of more teachers around the world who have also been in the classroom with us, experiencing the ups and downs of this school year.
How to Enter the Giveaway:
- Screenshot this episode
- Share it on social media (Instagram or Facebook) and TAG ME @teachinglittleleaders
- The giveaway winner will be announced on my IG stories on JUNE 14th!
One Giveaway Winner will Receive:
- 24 Clear Plastic Zipper Pouch Envelopes
- 6 Pack of Bright Post It Notes
- 10 Pack of Erasable Ball Point Pens
- 3 Drawer Desktop Organizer
This is the fourth and final episode in our End of Year Teacher Series! In this episode, we’re talking all about how to set yourself up for success the first week back. What should you prep? How can you save yourself time when you come back from summer break? How can you make sure you’re actually able to ENJOY your summer break without worrying about your classroom too much? We’re answering all of that in THIS episode.
What’s Covered In This Episode:
- Why you should be doing some back to school prep now
- 5 top things to get prepped now
Download the FREE End of Year Checklist and Guide to go from stressed at the end of the year to confident and prepared!
Submit your “Glows and Grows” from this year for a chance to be featured on our 50th Episode!
This is episode 3 of 4 in our End of Year Teacher Series! In this episode, we’re diving deep into organization that will be beneficial to you at this time in the year. Organization tends to be a hot topic at the beginning of the school year, but if you’re taking a few steps to get organized NOW, your back to school season is going to be much easier.
What’s Covered In This Episode:
- Why organizing your centers at the end of the year is beneficial
- What makes center organization so helpful now
- Quick and easy organization tips you can use right away
If you haven’t listened to the first 2 episodes in the EOY Series, check them out here:
- Episode 46: How to Efficiently Pack Your Classroom
- Episode 47: Exactly How to Declutter Your Classroom
Download your FREE End of Year Pack Up + Organization Guide!
Submit your “Glows and Grows” for this school year for a chance to be featured on our 50th Episode!!
In the second episode of our End of Year Teacher Series, we talk about a helpful mantra to take on when cleaning out your classroom. This is just one episode that will help you answer the question: “What should I be doing at the end of the year to make my life easier?”
What’s Covered In This Episode:
- The importance of decluttering
- A rule of thumb for deciding what to keep and what to get rid of
- Why you should be taking inventory
- How to put things back so you’re not kicking yourself later
Make sure to download the Free End of Year Guide + Checklist that‘s helping hundreds of teachers pack and organize their classrooms right now!
This is the kickoff episode to our End of Year Series. Over the next 4 episodes, we’re going to be covering all the top things you absolutely must do before the school year wraps up for summer. We’re kicking things off by talking about how to efficiently pack your classroom so that setting it back up is way easier!
What's Covered in the Episode:
- Why packing neatly is helpful
- An easy way to make sure everything goes where it should
- A rule of thumb for packing all your stuff
Download this brand new, FREE resource: The K-2 Teacher's Ultimate Guide to Pack and Organize Efficiently at the End of the Year
Have you ever wondered how to get report cards done without all the late-nights, stress, and working right up until they’re due? In this episode, I’m sharing 3 super simple hacks that will help you not only write comments in less time, but also decrease the stress surrounding this teacher task.
What’s covered in the episode:
- The easiest way to start any report card comment
- How to make sure report card due dates don’t sneak up on you
- A game-changing hack that will save you tons of time
Download this FREE Report Card Comment Guide and get:
- a simple formula for writing comments faster
- a list of plug-and-play terms to use in your comments
Want more report card help? Check out this blog post: Elementary Report Card Comments You Can Use Now
In this episode, I’m joined by Sara Marye of The Stellar Teacher Company and she’s sharing how Literacy routines can prevent end of the year chaos.
The end of the year gets crazy for teachers and students, schedules get disrupted, there is additional work for teachers, students become restless. One thing teachers can do now to help eliminate the end-of-year chaos is by incorporating literacy routines. Even though it is the end of the year, now is actually a great time to introduce, practice, and refine literacy routines that can help keep students engaged up until the very last day of the year.
What's Covered in This Episode:
- What a literacy routine is
- How literacy routines help at the end of the year
- How you can design your own literacy routine
- Examples of routines you can use now
Sara Marye has over a decade of experience working as a classroom teacher and school administrator. She is now CEO of The Stellar Teacher Company and a literacy specialist passionate about helping elementary teachers around the world grow their students into lifelong readers. Sara's mission is to make teachers' lives a little easier by providing them with endless encouragement, effective strategies, and engaging no-fluff resources. Sara is also the host of the Stellar Teacher Podcast, where she loves to share her favorite literacy tips each week!
Links Mentioned:
- Free Scheduling Guide
- The Stellar Teacher Company Website
- Connect with Sara on Instagram: @thestellarteachercompany
- Listen to The Stellar Teacher Podcast
- Check out The Stellar Teacher Company on TpT!
Are you frustrated by how long grading takes? Deciding what grades your elementary students should get doesn't need to feel like a difficult decision. In fact, it can be really clear-cut, informed, and objective. In this episode, I'm sharing how and why using grading rubrics can make it easier for you to get your grades done in less time.
What's Covered in the Episode:
- Why using grading rubrics is a more efficient and effective practice for teachers
- Quick tips to help you start using rubrics right away
- Examples of how to break down a standard or skill on a rubric
Kindergarten teachers: Get done-for-you Grading Rubrics here!
Blog Post: How To Use Grading Rubrics to Save You Time
Is spring fever setting in in your classroom? Your students have high energy and you feel more drained than usual, trying to keep up with it all. In this episode I'm going to share my top tips to help you thrive (not just survive) until the end of the school year.
What's Covered in the Episode:
- How to embrace the extra student energy happening in your classroom
- Tricks to provide students with meaningful talking opportunities
- How to make sure you're not burning out in the process
- Why it's important to take time for you
Share this episode with a teacher friend who's also battling spring fever in their classroom! Screenshot and send them the episode, OR share on Instagram and tag me: @teachinglittleleaders
Spring is in full swing, so it only seems right to talk about classroom activities you can use with your elementary students this season. And because I love helping teachers save time, all of the spring activities we talk about in this episode are low-prep.
What’s Covered In the Episode:
- A quick teacher hack that will simplify lesson planning this spring.
- Theme Ideas you can use right now
- Tips for making any activity low prep
- Low-prep spring activity ideas you can use with your elementary students
Links Mentioned:
- Save 25% on a limited-time Spring Math and Literacy Activities Mega Bundle with the code FORYOU22 at checkout on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Get more spring activity ideas in this blog post.
You’re implementing a morning meeting in your classroom but it’s getting a little challenging to plan for. You feel like you’ve already done all the greeting ideas, share topics, and activities.. The kids are getting bored. Or maybe you’re just feeling stuck. In today’s episode we talk about easy to use ideas for your next morning meeting!
What's Covered in the Episode:
- Helpful resources for getting started with Morning Meeting
- How you can fit Morning Meeting into your busy day
- Greeting, Share, Activity, and Message ideas you can start using right away
Links Mentioned:
- Tips for Making the Most of Morning Meeting
- Virtual Morning Meeting Ideas
- Free Morning Meeting Slides Sample
- Free Morning Meeting Idea List
So you're using slides in your classroom. But are you using them purposefully to save yourself time AND increase student independence? In this episode, we uncover how you can use slides effectively to make teaching easier and help students be more efficient in the classroom.
What's Covered in the Episode:
- Why slides are a teaching game changer in elementary classrooms
- How visuals can support your teaching and student learning
- The simple way audio can transform student work time
Links Mentioned:
- How to Quickly Set Up Weekly Slides for Teaching
- How to Add a Timer to Google Slides
- 3 Ways to Use Slides In Your Kindergarten Classroom
Check out my Editable Classroom Subject Slides Bundle for ready-to-go slides that you can use all day long.
You have daily literacy and math centers in your classroom, but are they running smoothly? Managing and planning for centers in lower elementary classrooms is challenging.
In today's episode, we're covering 4 common mistakes that elementary teachers make when implementing centers in their classroom. We'll cover:
- What centers might look like when you're making these "mistakes." (Including my own personal experiences with this).
- How using more student choice can increase engagement (and decrease the amount of interruptions you get).
- What could be leading to students being completely off task during centers.
- A time-saving hack for you that also helps students build confidence and independence
Click here for the full show notes.
Links Mentioned:
- Blog Post: Organizing Centers to Maximize Student Independence
- Editable Center Slides with Automatic Timers
Have you loved this podcast episode?? Screenshot, share on IG, and tag me @teachinglittleleaders so we can get The Teacher Time Podcast into the ears of more teachers!
Having a strong, structured classroom management system is important for you and your students. But where do you start and how can you adjust when things just aren’t working? In this episode, I’m joined by Andriana, who you probably know as The Active Educator. Andriana shares 3 ways to revamp your classroom management that’s rooted in social emotional development, will help you be able to teach more effectively, while giving our students a sense of belonging.
What's Covered In the Episode:
- Why having a classroom management system is so important
- How to get started with social emotional learning lessons today (even without a curriculum)
- A fun, simple way to refresh your attention-getter techniques
- An easy way to incorporate routines and expectations into your day
Andriana's signature program, Heart Centered Classroom Management is currently OPEN! Get more information here!
Links:
Connect with Andriana on Instagram @the_active_educator
www.theactiveeducator.com
Do you ever spend a ridiculous amount of time scrolling online looking for activity ideas? Only to spend even longer prepping them? In this episode, we go over 3 fun and easy-to-prep activities for lower elementary classrooms that you can add to your plans for March!
What's Covered in the Episode:
- The challenging lesson I learned that can save you time
- A simple way to practice counting all year long that students won't get sick of
- How you can use one material to create multiple activities
- A fun, simple way to practice reading sentences
Head to the show notes here: https://www.teachinglittleleaders.com/podcast/funmarchactivities
Links Mentioned:
Blog Post: Simple Early Finisher Activities for K-2 Classrooms
March Activities Bundle
If you loved this episode, make sure to screenshot, share on Instagram and tag me: @teachinglittleleaders
In this episode, we have our very first guest on The Teacher Time Podcast, Dr. Lori Friesen! She's sharing all about 7 insanely simple classroom management hacks that you can use right away.
What's Covered In This Episode:
- How to keep kids focused and engaged during lessons
- A creative hack for getting kids’ attention quickly
- How to ensure your students’ work always has their name on it
- A fun hack for ensuring your students always have a sharp pencil
- How to prevent hundreds of paper scraps when doing cutting projects
About Dr. Lori Friesen
Dr. Lori Friesen taught for 10 years in Canada and overseas before completing her PhD in Elementary Education with a specialization in Language and Literacy. She taught pre-service teachers at the University of Lethbridge and published The Beginning Teacher’s Handbook for Elementary School as the culminating project for her M.Ed. Dr. Lori completed her PhD at the University of Alberta and has been inducted into the Golden Key International Honor Society in recognition of her outstanding academic achievement and excellence. Host of the popular Beginning Teacher Talk podcast and creator of the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy, Dr. Lori is dedicated to supporting and inspiring thousands of educators around the world.
Links Mentioned:
FREE download for the Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/checklist
Listen to the Beginning Teacher Talk Podcast: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/discussion/preview
What is one word that comes to mind when you think of how you’re feeling this year? Here are a few common responses from elementary teachers: Stressed. Overwhelmed. Drowning.
In this episode, I’m going to read a listener question that was submitted for the “Ask Stephanie” segment about how to get organized so you can stop drowning in everything you have to do. I think you’re going to 100% relate to this question, and hopefully be motivated by the answer I share to take action!
What’s Covered In This Episode:
- Why elementary teachers are feeling extra stressed
- 3 simple steps for organizing any classroom space
- How to make sure overwhelm doesn’t keep you stuck from taking action
Today is the last day that Teacher Time University is open for this school year. If you’re ready to leave overwhelm behind with a simple method for getting planned, prepped, and organized week after week - Join Us today! Get More Info Here
You know what really bugs me as a teacher? Hearing misconceptions about being an elementary teacher that perpetuates the cycle of overwhelm we feel. In today’s episode, we cover 6 myths that make teaching feel even more challenging than it should.
What’s Covered In the Episode:
- Why (and how) lesson planning does not have to take hours
- The belief that’s hindering your ability to get more done during your prep time
- The secret to knowing you don’t have to bring your teacher bag home every night.
- Why it’s important to simplify planning and prepping NOW.
- This week’s “Ask Stephanie” question: “How can teachers push back against the increasing demands (testing) our limited time?
Which kind of teacher are you after school on a Friday afternoon? Are you stuffing all of your things into your teacher bag to take home with you? Or do you leave it all behind, ready to confidently enjoy the weekend, guilt free? If it's the first one ... you're not alone, and this episode is for you.
Quick Look at What's Covered on How to Actually Take a Break from Teaching Over the Weekend:
- Why it's important for teachers to take a break over the weekend
- A teaching myth that really needs to be addressed
- 4 simple things you can do that will make turning your teacher brain off on the weekends way easier.
- "Ask Stephanie" Question: I'm being effective with my time but still working weekends to prep curriculum since I am new to the grade level.
Links Mentioned
• Submit a question to the Ask Stephanie Segment
• Free Download: Ultimate Teacher To Do List for Getting Stuff Done
Do you ever feel powerless against all of the responsibilities as a teacher? Of course you do. Because there are many responsibilities and circumstances that are not within your control. Today we are talking about what you can do to manage those things that you feel completely powerless against; all of those things that make teaching feel a lot harder. And it's actually simpler than you might think. Quick Look at What's Covered on How to Find Peace When You Feel Overwhelmed in the Classroom:
What your "Circle of Control" has to do with teaching Main reasons why teachers are feeling drained right now 3 simple steps to focusing on what's in your control so you can let go of overwhelm Quick self-check to figure out what teacher responsibilities are in your control and out of your control "Ask Stephanie" Question: I don't have enough time to do all the things I need to do. Also, the mental and energetic toll it takes is hard. What can I do about this?
Help me get the The Teacher Time Podcast out to other teachers! If you love these episodes, follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! Links Mentioned
Submit a question to the Ask Stephanie Segment Free Download: Top 10 Time Management Tips for Elementary Teachers Editable Morning Meeting Slides
Welcome back for Season 2 of The Teacher Time Podcast! In this episode, we're talking about what it is like to teach during a pandemic. Yep, we're going there. There are 2 key takeaways I want to share with you that will help make whatever teaching challenges you're facing right now feel more doable. We're going to dive in to my experiences over the past 2 years, and what we can all take away from this experience.
Quick Look at the Episode:
- [2:07] Why We Took a Break
- [6:05] My Experience Teaching During the Pandemic
- [10:12] The Bright Spot in the Challenges
- [12:25] Teaching During the 2021-2022 School Year
- [14:14] The Start of 2022
- [16:27] The Key to Managing Teaching Challenges
- [19:30] Ask Stephanie Segment
- [24:18] Episode Takeaways + Quick Action Step
Loving The Teacher Time Podcast? Rate, review, and follow on Apple Podcasts!
LINKS
Submit a question to the Ask Stephanie Segment
Free Download: Top 10 Time Management Tips for Elementary Teachers
In today's episode (and the Season 1 FINALE!), we chat about some simple shifts in thinking that can help you make your limited prep time feel more doable. If you've ever caught yourself thinking: "I have to keep working because there's more on my to-do list." ... this episode is for you! Stephanie shares personal stories and practical strategies to help you finally take control over your planning time. Inside the episode, we cover:
common teacher narratives that make planning time harder simple shifts in thinking that will make planning time easier the importance of having a clear action plan for your prep time the first step you can take toward having a prep time action plan
Links: Get on the Teacher Time University Waitlist (you don't want to miss when the doors open so soon!) Join our free facebook community for the podcast and get a first look at what Season 2 will look like!!
In this week's episode, we talk about topics that teachers do not typically get training on (whether in college education courses or in professional developments as a teacher), but that we really should! While there are many topics that we as teachers would love to get more support on, today we focus specifically on a few areas like, parent communication, report cards, using effective teacher language to communicate with students, and of course ... how to manage all of your to-dos during a prep time that's 30 minutes or less.
Listen to today's episode and then join the conversation by taking a screenshot, sharing on social media, and tagging me @teachinglittleleaders
Links:
Teacher Time University Waitlist
Teacher Time Podcast Facebook Community
In this “It’s Ok” style episode, we bust a common belief that teachers have, that tends to affect our time, our energy, and our mindset. It’s ok to leave things from your to-do list for tomorrow.
After listening, you’ll uncover:
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where does this idea that it’s NOT ok to leave work at work come from?
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how and why your teacher to-do list should have an end each day.
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easy action steps to help make your best prep time a little easier
Share your thoughts on this episode - screenshot and tag me on Instagram or leave a review so I can shout those out in another episode!
Links:
Get on the TTU Waitlist Here!
Tag me on Instagram @teachinglittleleaders
What kind of support do you feel like you need as an elementary teacher? In this episode of The Teacher Time Podcast, we talk about the kinds of support that can help teachers navigate changes and expectations in the education world.
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Community
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Professional
We also talk about where you can go to find this kind of support as a teacher!
Why are parent teacher conferences so stressful? How can we take some of that stress off of our shoulders? It just starts with having a plan and knowing a general sense for how you’re going to set up and run those conferences. So in today’s episode, we’re talking about quick tips that will make preparing for parent teacher conferences less time consuming, and hopefully less stressful.
Tip 1: Use a scheduler
Tip 2: Ask for input
Tip 3: Prepare Notes
Tip 4: Aim to Support
Need notes pages and family questionnaires? Grab this editable Parent Teacher Conference Pack here!
Who else has felt complete brain fog when lesson planning? If this sounds familiar, it’s no surprise! Teachers make tons of decisions throughout the day, so when you sit down to make even more decisions with your lesson plans, it can feel like a challenge.
The goal of this episode is to create some space for you to freely brainstorm your lesson plans for this fall, and I’ve got a quick trick to help you do that!
Step 1. Pick a theme
Step 2. Name the skills
Step 3. Combine the theme and skills for engaging, meaningful learning activities.
Make sure to listen to the episode for pumpkin themed examples for your lower elementary classroom!
Did you find this helpful or are you planning on using some of these ideas? Screenshot this episode and share to your Instagram stories! Make sure to tag me so I can see! @teachinglittleleaders
Fall Activities:
October Counting Mats
November Counting Mats
What's something you feel guilty about as a teacher? Is taking a day off one of them? Teachers are notorious for feeling like we can't take a personal day, let alone a sick day.
In this episode, we uncover some simple shifts in thinking that can help you see why it's truly ok, and at times necessary, to take a day off from teaching.
My hope is that after listening to this episode, you stop feeling like you need to be in teacher mode all the time, and start seeing that it's ok to prioritize and invest in yourself.
If you liked this style episode, screenshot and share on Instagram! Make sure to tag me @teachinglittleleaders
Helpful Links:
Daily Lesson Plan Templates (great for writing sub plans!)
Teacher Time Podcast Facebook Community
Today I am answering an extremely important question. One that I have spent a lot of time thinking about, practicing, and planning how to answer for you, as well as how to help teachers like you do. And that question is: How can elementary teachers get planned, prepped and organized at school without working 24/7.
Inside the episode we’ll talk about 4 main areas, or pillars, as I like to call them. I’m going to tell you exactly WHY these specific areas are important and share relatable examples for you too.
The 4 areas are:
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Mindset
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Schedule
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Planning
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Systems
Inside my program, Teacher Time University, you'll learn exactly how to implement these 4 pillars right away. Doors are open for a limited time. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TEACHER TIME UNIVERSITY
There’s so much to do, where do I start during my prep time? Maybe this is a question you’ve asked yourself before. You have this huge, long to do list that only ever seems to get things added to it, no matter how much you try.
And despite your best efforts to focus and get it done during your planning time, you’re left feeling overwhelmed day in and day out.
You’re not alone teacher friend. We were taught how to teach, we weren’t necessarily taught how to manage the behind the scenes stuff that’s happening when we’re not teaching. In today’s episode though, we’re going to cover 3 ways to stay focused during prep time.
If you're ready to squash the feeling of not knowing where to start during prep time, join the free workshop for K-2 teachers happening on September 12th at 1:00 pm. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
Can't make it live? There will be a limited time replay available!
What do teachers need to do to take back their weekends and transition from overwhelmed during planning time to productive?
In this episode, we talk about making that transition from feeling really overwhelmed by the things that you have to do each week as a teacher - lesson planning, meetings, making copies, prepping all the materials, trying to stay organized - to feeling like "ok, I got this!"
In this episode, you'll learn:
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the secret combination that makes for a productive teacher
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a simple shift in thinking that can change everything
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why taking control of your planning time (and your weekends) is crucial to your effectiveness as a teacher
Download the Free Organization Guide HERE!
Love this episode? Make sure to share on instagram and tag me @teachinglittleleaders so I can give you a shout out!
Do you feel like no matter how hard you try, you still leave school super late, stressed out, and feeling like you didn't get anything done during your planning time? If so, you're not alone.
In today's episode, we talk about 3 mistakes you could be making, that are keeping you from leaving school on time, prepared, and .. you know, not stressed out.
In this episode, you'll learn:
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the importance of doing what works for YOU, not the teacher down the hall
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the key to taking control of your to-do list
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what's keeping you from saving time and energy during planning time
Join our free Facebook community HERE!
Download the free Organization Guide HERE!
Is your back to school to-do list getting a little out of hand?? It's no doubt that elementary teachers have a lot to do before students even enter the classroom for the first time. And we're definitely pressed for time to do it all in!
After today's episode, you'll know a super simple way to manage your crazy back to school to-do list without the stress. I call it -"the big 3."
After listening, head over to our free community: The Teacher Time Podcast Facebook Group and tell us your "big 3!"
Can anyone else find themselves going teacher organization crazy during this time of the year?
There are so many fabulous organization tools out there, it begs the question: What should you get and what should you leave? And when you do buy those bins or drawers … What should you use them for?
In this episode, I’m sharing tips for choosing organization tools that work for you. I’m also going to tell you about some organization tools that you can try out (with ideas for how to use them!).
If you want even more ideas for using these organization tools AND others so that you can create a classroom organization plan that works for YOU, go download the free organization guide!
What pages should you include in your teacher planner for this school year? That's the question we answer in this episode!
Find out:
-
what the purpose of your planner really is
-
your options when it comes to planner set up (including my personal favorite!)
-
6 kinds of planner pages that are essential to have on hand!
Links:
Editable TLL Teacher Planners
Teacher Time Podcast Facebook Community
Back to school is such an exciting time... but managing your heavy to do list of planning, classroom set up, and meetings can be a challenge!
That's why in today's episode, we chat about 3 steps you can take to pace your back to school set up so that it's less overwhelming.
Inside the episode, we also go over an example back to school pacing schedule to help guide you.
This podcast episode was actually requested by one of our listeners! If you want to be able to request episodes, make sure to join our free facebook group: The Teacher Time Podcast Community!
And if you want to stay on top of your classroom organization so you can save time this year, make sure to download this Free Organization Guide for Elementary Teachers!
Having a purposefully organized classroom is essential to your efficiency as a teacher, as well as your students'.
If you're anything like me, you LOVE a good organization haul. Or even scrolling the hashtag #classroomorganization on Instagram. Lots of fabulous inspiration there!
But here's the thing:
You can buy all the organization tools, but without knowing where or how you’ll use them, it could be a total waste and just lead to more clutter.
So in today's episode, we're going to make sure that doesn't happen to you by getting really clear on 5 areas that need to have a solid organization plan in place:
- Your teacher workspace
- Your classroom library
- Center Area
- Small Group Area
- Student workspaces
After you listen, grab this brand new, FREE Organization Guide: 5 Simple Tools for Organizing Your Classroom So You Can Save Time
How can you have the best school year yet? The answer might not be what you think. In this episode, we talk about 3 components of teaching that you can focus on to help set yourself up for a great year.
You see, having a “successful” school year doesn’t depend on the theme of your classroom or the outfits you wear.
What sets you up to have a fabulous year, is how prepared you are with a PLAN when you enter the classroom. And I’m not just talking about lesson plans.
There are a few areas you should have a solid plan for when you enter the classroom this back to school season:
- Your organization
- Your time management
- Your classroom community
Inside this episode, I ask several guiding questions to get you thinking about how you can enhance those areas of your teacher life to feel even more prepared when you step foot into your 2021-2022 elementary classroom.
Once you're done listening, I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts! Send me a DM on Instagram here: @teachinglittleleaders
Links:
The Teacher Time Podcast Facebook Community
Free Guide: 3 Ways to Instantly Increase Productivity for Elementary Teachers
Teacher Time University Waitlist
Blog Post: 5 Ultimate Organization Hacks for Elementary Teachers
Self care is a hot topic the past few years, and for a good reason. Taking care of ourselves and giving ourselves permission to rest is really important. Teacher burnout is also a hot topic in recent years and it’s because we have become notorious for constantly working.
Today we're going to answer 2 questions:
1. What are some simple self care activities we can do?
2. How can we make time for self care?
After this episode, you'll have plenty of ideas for all kinds of self care activities, including:
- simple, every day self care
- free, but extra self care
- self care ideas that cost money
PLUS a few things you can easily to do to make time for you.
Links:
Free Self Care Summer Planner
Teacher Time University Waitlist
3 Simple Self Care Ideas for Teachers
The Teacher Time Podcast Facebook Community
Do you usually find yourself taking a very quick break from teacher life at the end of the school year, only to jump back into prepping all the things a few short weeks later?
I’ve totally been there too.
If this sounds like you too, but you’ve really wanted to take a more prolonged break from teaching, particularly over the summer, I’m talking to YOU in this episode.
In this episode we talk about:
- why taking breaks is good for your energy and motivation
- the benefits of taking breaks from teaching over the summer
- how to make sure that if you do work this summer, you still maintain a balance that doesn't lead to burnout.
Links:
Teacher Time University Waitlist
The Teacher Time Podcast Facebook Group
How can we let go of perfection as teachers and move toward reflection questions that allow us to grow into the educators we’ve always wanted to be? This is the question we’re answering in today’s episode.
We'll talk about possible reflection questions for your:
- teacher time management
- planning practices
- classroom community
The goal of this episode is not to have all of the "hows" figured out just yet, but instead to think about the "what's" and the "why's" of these areas.
If you’re reflecting on how to manage your planning time so you can live a day to day schedule you love, get on the waitlist for my signature program, Teacher Time University. Join the waitlist here.
Let's ditch the overwhelm with a simple plan for crossing off those end of school year tasks!
If you are counting down until the last day of school but also feeling the extra stress of your end of year to-dos on your shoulders, you're not alone.
In this episode we go through 3 super simple steps to managing the extra end of school year tasks that elementary teachers have on their plate:
- Brain Dump
- Keep, Delegate, or Eliminate
- Make a Prioritized Plan
If you love this episode, let me know on Instagram! You can find me here: @teachinglittleleaders
Links:
Teacher Time University Waitlist
The end of the school year can be simultaneously exciting and stressful. It's exciting because you know the end is near, but stressful because there are extra responsibilities on your plate that have a deadline.
Then summer rolls around and you're still thinking about school - just the next school year!
Teachers are notorious for continuing to work over the summer. And I used to be one of them. I couldn't WAIT to get back in my classroom or find little projects to work on over the summer. But since becoming a mom, I realized that I wanted to take more time off and fully enjoy the summers, since they always fly by.
In this episode, we chat about 3 super simple things you can do to help yourself step away from teaching for the summer.
Key Takeaways:
- How and why you need to declutter your classroom before leaving for summer
- The power of reflecting now instead of during back to school season
- What to prepare at the end of the school year for the next school year
You're going to love how easy these tricks are and how they help you feel more present over the summer break!
Links:
The Teacher Time Facebook Community
Episode 1: Three Ways for Teachers to Kickstart Your Productivity
Monthly Planning Templates
Today's episode is all about time-saving tips for writing report cards. The tips in this episode will help you go from overwhelmed to calm and productive, because you'll know you have simple strategies in place to help make writing report cards feel more manageable.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How rubrics can clarify filling in report card grades
- A simple formula for writing report card comments with ease
- A quick trick to make sure you're not starting with a blank page for every comment
Links:
- Report Card Comment Guide
- Join the Teacher Time Facebook Community
Grading can feel like an extra task on your plate. It’s also challenging to determine what the guidelines are past meeting a standard. In today’s episode we’re going to talk about how to approach grading in a more manageable way with 4 hacks to save you time!
After listening to the episode, you'll:
- know how to make deciding a student's grade very clear
- have a strategy for infusing grading into what you're already doing in class
- have ideas that will help you stay on top of grading tasks
Links:
- Kindergarten Grading Rubrics
- The Teacher Time Podcast Facebook Group
- Connect on Instagram: @teachinglittleleaders
What can you do when you don't get your to-do list done? And how do manage your extra end of the year responsibilities, like grading or writing report card comments??
In today's episode we're talking about a strategy called "proactive planning", which can help you proactively schedule and plan for your many teacher tasks, as well as having a plan for responding to unexpected events.
After listening, you'll:
- know how to make sure events/meetings/and due dates don't sneak up on you again.
- have a personalized and simple strategy for writing your daily task list.
- know how to make your to-do list manageable instead of overwhelming.
Sounds pretty good, right?? Jump on in and have a listen!
Links:
- The Teacher Time Podcast Facebook Group
- Connect on Instagram: @teachinglittleleaders
- Free Productivity Guide for Elementary Teachers
How is it possible to get all of the important lesson planning and prep tasks done in a week? If you've ever asked this question before, today's episode is for you! We'll unpack how to effectively schedule your prep tasks across the week so you can manage your important to-dos without the overwhelm. Using the 3 simple steps shared in today's episode, you'll:
clearly see how much time you have to lesson plan / prep learning activities have a big picture of what tasks you routinely have on your to-do list understand how to most efficiently put them on your prep schedule
Links: Connect on Instagram: @teachinglittleleaders Episode 3: Three Teaching Myths It's Time to Bust! Free Prep Schedule Template Free Productivity Guide www.teachinglittleleaders.com
In this episode, we're talking about myths teachers tell themselves that affect your overall mindset and productivity. This episode is for you if:
you've ever felt like in order to be a good teacher, you needed to work late or until your entire to-do list was done; you want to be able to focus on the teaching part of your job, more than you worry about the lesson planning, meetings, and emails. you want to feel fully present with your students, but don't know how to do that.
Join me as we discuss (and bust) these 3 common teaching myths:
If you can do something at home, you should. Good teachers work late, and if you don't work late, you must not be a good teacher. You need to work until your entire to do list is done.
Links: Join The Teacher Time Podcast Facebook Community Connect with me on Instagram: @teachinglittleleaders Download my Free Productivity Guide
How can teachers get important daily tasks done without falling into little distractions throughout the day, AND turn their teacher brain off when they leave work? I'll tell you - with 2 very simple routines!
In this episode, we talk about:
Start of workday routines End of workday routines How to create routines that help you feel calm and prepared
You'll leave this episode knowing how these routines can help you and exactly how to customize your own routines so that you're no longer pulled away from important tasks to focus on small ones (ahem, checking email). Plus, you'll gain clarity on what you can do at the end of the workday, that will help you leave the work at work.
Links: The Teacher Time Podcast Facebook Group Connect with me on Instagram: @teachinglittleleaders
How can teachers make the most of their planning time right now? In today's episode, we'll talk about 3 simple things you can do to start being more productive right away.
You'll learn:
- Tips and tricks for quickly getting organized so you can maximize efficiency
- How setting boundaries around your teacher time can make you an even better teacher
- What you must be doing to take control over your planning time, no matter how limited it feels
Links:
Download my free guide: 3 Ways To Instantly Increase Productivity which will help you implement the 3 kickstarter strategies we talk about in the episode.
Join our Teacher Time Podcast Community on Facebook to connect and learn with other elementary teachers: The Teacher Time Podcast Facebook Group
Love this episode? Take a screenshot and tag me @teachinglittleleaders on Instagram to tell me what you're loving!
You know how teachers are always working long hours? Let's change that.
Welcome to the Teacher Time Podcast, a space where we're changing the norm around how much free time teachers give up to get their planning done. Here, we'll tackle your biggest productivity questions and challenges. You'll discover how you can live a day to day schedule you love and still be an effective teacher with these simple productivity strategies, mindset shifts, and planning hacks.
Find Out More:
www.teachinglittleleaders.com
Instagram: @teachinglittleleaders