Shows
The Literacy Dive Podcast: Reading and Writing Strategies for Upper Elementary Teachers and ParentsUsing Multimedia to Support Readers in a 21st Century Classroom with Rachael ParlettI’m so excited about today’s episode because it’s a topic that I haven’t discussed in almost 100 episodes, but is so important and relevant in our world today. That topic is multimedia in a 21st century classroom. Now, you might think you know what all of this entails, but some concepts discussed might surprise you. To help me dive in, I have guest Rachael Parlett and we’re discussing using multimedia to support readers in a 21st century classroom. Rachael Parlett has been an educator for 16+ years, having spent most of her time teaching 4th grade. ...2022-08-2939 min
The Classroom CommuteCreating a Multimedia Classroom (Part 1: What the Research Says)2021-11-2213 minThe Classroom Commute6 Components of a Successful LessonALL SUCCESSFUL LESSONS HAVE A FEW THINGS IN COMMON.I don’t know about you, but I’ve been guilty more than once of making myself the star of the show - meaning - as a teacher - I often made the lessons more about me. Me — standing in front of the classroom with my anchor charts, doing all the talking, inviting minimal participation. When I did invite participation, I was sure to call on those students that I know would have the answers.Guilty, as charged. ...2021-11-1519 minThe Classroom CommuteWhat is a 21st Century Classroom??WHAT IS A 21ST CENTURY CLASSROOM?If you have been tuning in to the podcast the past few weeks, you may have picked up on the fact that I’ve been putting a lot of focus on the modern classroom, and what’s actually working right now. I’ve also been challenging some of the teaching ideas and practices that have dominated in the classroom for the past decade or so, and have really been questioning whether or not they are relevant anymore.We first talked about whether...2021-11-0815 minThe Classroom Commute3 Tips for Increasing Student SuccessRAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR STUDENTS SUCCEED. 🙋🏻OK, I think I already know the answer to that question, but it’s worth asking out loud. Of course you want your students to succeed! It’s likely one of the main reasons you became a teacher (that and to have holidays and summers off, if we’re being honest)But actually GETTING our students to be successful is certainly a challenge.Well, I’ve actually been doing a lot of research lately on the causes of st...2021-11-0122 minThe Classroom CommuteExploring Growth Mindset with Victoria from The Mindful AppleStudents don't just need to grow academically.As teachers, we aim to teach the whole child, right?This of course includes helping our students learn to read and write and everything in between.But - we also want to help our students learn that they have control over their ability to learn. They can train their brains to push through when things get challenging. Students have the ability to see failures as learning opportunities, to see struggles and successes in the making....2021-10-2525 minThe Classroom CommuteGetting Started with Interactive NotebooksSO, YOU WANT TO TRY INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOKS, EH?Of course you do! They’re super cool and students love them.But, they aren’t just something you can start without putting a little thought into it.In fact, launching into using interactive notebooks with your students without thinking through the process from start to finish could leave you in puddles of glue and up to your elbows in paper scraps. And no one has time for that!So, come along with me in this episode. I’ll be sur...2021-10-1819 minThe Classroom CommuteThe TRUTH About Learning StylesARE STUDENT LEARNING STYLES A MYTH?I remember very few things about what I learned in my college education classes.Most of what I learned about being a successful teacher I learned through my actual experiences in the classroom.But - there is one things I DO remember. Does multiple intelligences ring a bell, anyone?How about learning styles?In college you, too, likely learned all about the different ways your students interact with and process new information - we refer to these as learning styles. I wa...2021-10-1108 minThe Classroom CommuteUsing Podcasts in the Elementary ClassroomPODCASTS ARE THE *NEW* LISTENING CENTER… (& SO.MUCH.MORE)I can still remember. It was 2006 and it was my first year of teaching. One of my friend’s mom wanted to help out a first year teacher (me) by sponsoring my classroom. She asked what I needed and I told her that I desperately wanted a listening center for my classroom. Being the new teacher, I got last pick on supplies. All the good stuff was taken and the only thing that resembled a listening center was a super old tape play...2021-10-0414 minThe Classroom Commute10 Lessons Learned in 10 Years As The Classroom NookREFLECTION FUELS GROWTH.In September of 2011, I started a journey and had NO IDEA where that journey would bring me.Well, let me tell you, it been a journey. And I have learned so much about myself as an educator and as a person. I believe that we go further when we stop often to reflect upon where we’ve been.If we want our students to reflect on their progress and their journey, then we must also develop those same habits.In this episode, I’m sharing 10 of the most valuab...2021-09-2719 minThe Classroom CommuteHelping Students Grow as Readers Through Goal SettingGROWTH COMES FROM GOAL-SETTING.We can teach until we are blue in the face, but often, we take the one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to reading.We teach everyone the same skills and strategies…at the same time.But the problem is, students are often in different places when it comes to their most immediate need. And while it’s fine to teach a reading topic to the whole class, we must also make sure that we are giving equal instructional time and attention to the i...2021-09-2013 minThe Classroom CommuteDeveloping Student Writing Goals & Why Your Students Need Them!Want to see more progress in your students’ writing?Then it’s time to take a hard look at how we approach writing in your classroom.We spend a lot of time teaching skills and strategies for writing, but not every student needs work on the same skill or strategy.That’s where helping students to develop writing goals can make a huge impact. Setting individual writing goals gives purpose to student writing, and helps students to make progress on what THEY need. Goals drive instruction and serv...2021-09-1322 minThe Classroom CommuteMaking Social Emotional Learning MORE Than a Buzzword (Applications for the Classroom)SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING.It’s such a buzzword lately, especially as teachers try to navigate the aftermath of the pandemic. Now more than ever our students are struggling socially and emotionally. Months of learning at home, isolated from teachers and friends has brought a series of issues that teachers are now learning to work through.Social emotional learning, or SEL for short, is not new, but has certainly created a new buzzword.The thing is, the social and emotional well-being of our students isn’t just the re...2021-09-0624 minThe Classroom CommuteReflecting on Best Teaching Practices (& What to STOP Doing NOW!)Dear old version of me...We all look back on your first few years of teaching and cringe at some of the things that we have done with our students.Sometimes, we just don't know any better...until we do. Now, I won’t waste your time telling you all about my mistakes, but I do want to share a few things that you can change about your teaching practices today to make a bigger impact with your students. LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODEGrab my FREE “...2021-08-3017 minThe Classroom CommuteReaders & Writers Workshop: Top Questions to Ask Yourself BEFORE Getting StartedSTOP.Before you get started with readers and writers workshop this year, we need to talk.I know you want to launch into your first reading and writing unit. I know you’re anxious to start that first novel or that first writing piece with your students. It’s exciting to start fresh. BUT — before you do, don’t.Have your properly set yourself up for success when it comes to launching readers and writers workshop? Have you considered all.the.things. to make sure you have cro...2021-08-2322 minThe Classroom CommuteMust-Know Tips for New Teachers!IT CAN BE TOUGH BEING THE NEW GUY, RIGHT?You may just be beginning your teaching journey, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone!We’ve all been there. While you might be excited to get that first year under your belt, you’re also likely feeling overwhelmed trying to process all. the. things.But, wait. Pause. Take a deep breath. Then - listen to this week’s episode. I’m sharing what really matters as a first year teacher …and what doesn’t. What yo...2021-08-1517 minThe Classroom CommuteWhat to Prep for Your Classroom NOW, to Save Time LATERTEACHERS: WANT TO THANK YOURSELF LATER?Then do yourself a favor (or two) NOW.Once the school year gets underway, teachers know just how challenging it can be to get ahead of the game. Many times it feels like we are surviving day-to-day.But - it doesn’t have to be that way!In fact, with a little thought, planning, and prepping, you could be doing yourself a HUGE favor that you’ll thank yourself later for. Putting in place a few classroom systems can reap huge benefi...2021-08-0916 minThe Classroom Commute8 Things to NOT Do On The First Day of SchoolIt's Back to School time!I am a self-proclaimed back to school junkie. I love everything about it.The back to school planning. Decorating my classroom. All of it.No sooner did a school year end before the wheels were already turning in my head for what that first day of school would look like. (I know, a little annoying, right? I can’t help it..)There is so much to prep and plan for that first day back, and all across America the To-Do checklists are being created and ticked off as...2021-08-0219 minThe Classroom CommuteTeacher Summer Road Trip Theme: Back to School PlanningIt’s go-time.Teachers - start your engines and get ready for the new school year. I don’t have to tell you that planning for a new school year is a bit of an overwhelming process.As exciting as it is, there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to getting ready for that first day of school.So let’s break it down. In this FINAL playlist of of our summer road trip, I’ll outline how you can:design your dream classroom (and on a budget!)get organized...2021-07-2524 minThe Classroom CommuteTeacher Summer Road Trip Theme: Classroom TechnologyMost teachers have a love-hate relationship with technology. It’s true that classroom technology can help engage students like no other teaching strategy can. But - with technology comes a whole new set of challenges.And, teacher technology can be great, too. Never before have we had some many tech tools to help us get organized, manage our classroom resources, and keep our schedule in check. But again - there’s always a learning curve.So, let’s tackle some of those challenges. In this week’s summer playlist I’ll be covering some important ways that you c...2021-07-1818 minThe Classroom CommuteTeacher Summer Road Trip Theme: Classroom ManagementWe all get excited for the beginning of the school year. Those fresh pencils. Boxes of new markers. Crisp chart paper just waiting to be used.We can’t wait to dive in to all the lessons, activities, and projects that we’ve been prepping and planning.But wait. Stop right there!Before you even THINK about anything else when it comes to the new school year, let me ask you this. What’s your classroom management system?Don’t really have one? Let’s fix that. In this episode I...2021-07-1115 minThe Classroom CommuteTeacher Summer Road Trip Theme: Classroom CommunityIt’s no secret that if your classroom is a welcoming place for students, they’ll want to be there.Not spending enough time building a positive classroom community is one of the biggest mistakes a teacher can make. Before you can dive into learning, students need to feel safe, wanted, and a part of the group. If you crave a classroom full of students that feel like family, then this week’s summer road trip playlist is for you. Learn how to: building a community of readers (and leaders!)create a culture...2021-07-0421 minThe Classroom CommuteTeacher Summer Road Trip Theme: The Teacher LifeIf you know. You Know.Teacher life is tough to explain to someone who isn’t a teacher. We have our own language, shared struggles and triumphs - so many things that only another teacher can relate to.The teacher community is such an amazing group, filled with educators who selflessly give of themselves to their students day after day, year after year.In this episode, I’ve curated clips that we can all relate to as teachers including: how to survive a super challenging school yearthe 7 habits of h...2021-06-2724 minThe Classroom CommuteTeacher Summer Road Trip Theme: Engaging StudentsStaring into a sea of glazed-over eyes is soul crushing for any teacher. All teachers aim for a classroom of engaged and excited learners - but getting there can be quite a feat. The key is to vary the WAYS that you try to engage your students. Doing one engagement strategy might work for a while, but it will eventually fall flat when the initial excitement dies down. That’s why in this week’s episode I’m sharing multiple ways that you can keep your students excited, engaged, and interacting with each other in all parts of your sc...2021-06-2014 minThe Classroom CommuteTeacher Summer Road Trip Theme: Writing InstructionWriting is often hard for students and teachers alike! That’s why in this episode I’ve curated a batch of writing inspiration to help you get your writing plan in order for the upcoming school year. We’ll cover some of the most important aspects of what makes your writing instruction successful in the elementary classroom. Here’s what I’ve got in store for you in this week’s road trip play list:Learn how to start your writer’s workshop off strong right from the beginning of the school yearSee how you can keep you...2021-06-1321 minThe Classroom CommuteTeacher Summer Road Trip Theme: Reading Instruction2021-06-0629 minThe Classroom CommuteAsk Me Anything! This Summer, Get to Know Rachael from The Classroom CommuteIt’s time to have a little fun! Before we hit the road on our summer teacher road trip and visit some of the most popular episodes from this past school year - get to know your road trip buddy (me!). This is a fun episode! For the first time, I recorded an “Ask Me Anything” episode where I’m answering some Classroom Commute listener questions! From personal questions (like - what’s my favorite TV show) to teacher-related questions (I’ll tell you why I left the classroom) - I’m answering them all!Be sure that you'r...2021-05-3026 minThe Classroom CommuteTake a Summer Road Trip with The Classroom Commute Podcast!Who’s ready for a summer road trip?We’ve been carpooling together all school year long - it only makes sense that we take this show on the road and swap the classroom commute for a summer road trip!Along the way we’ll stop at some of the most popular tourist destinations (aka most popular episodes from the past school year).And what does every road trip need? An EPIC playlist! I’ve got you covered! I’ll provide the tunes - and by tunes...2021-05-2304 minThe Classroom CommuteA Better Way to Teach Theme in Literature To Elementary StudentsHAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING THEME WRONG?Maybe. I was. For a long time.And my students struggled because of it. I’d asked students the classic prompting questions like What did the character learn? or What was the problem that the character was facing? — all good questions. However when we ask our students to take the giant leap from answering those prompts to identifying theme, we lose them.What they really need is the bridge to get from the prompt to theme. A repeatable...2021-05-1622 min