Chops

Steve and Jack share their definition of this year's jazz theme,"Pick It Up," and how it manifests daily at school.

Steve and Jack talk best practices about how to serve students during teary states.

After a rigorous marching season, the Minutemen prepare for their concert season and their holiday performance.

Usually, 90% (or more) of students are engaged and doing the right thing at any given time. It's easy to focus on the other 10%; Jack and Steve discuss strategies on how to minimize the 10 and let the 90 shine.

A great phrase supplied to us by a listener to help calm situations (and yourself) down. This episode illustrates how Jack and Steve use this phrase in their teaching.

The difference between identity and anonymity can make or break the essence and culture of a classroom.

Sometimes a quick answer is effective. Sometimes taking a roundabout path works better.

Contrary to many comments made on the show, Jack and Steve do plan. They break down the importance and the process of planning in this week's episode.

Sometimes, not all steps are taken from the teacher to ensure the students' success. Other times, teachers or students are given tasks that they simply will not be able to achieve.

Problems are opportunities in work clothes. Steve and Jack discuss how to help kids understand that things don't get easier - they just get better at accomplishing hard tasks.

Kids love Takis and Mountain Dew. And for some, that's most of their diet. Steve and Jack discuss how the effect this has on a classroom and how to encourage kids to eat, drink, and sleep well.

Everyone may feel uptight and nervous at time. Trying to answer questions, deliver content, and problem solve while feeling anxious can sometimes just be part of the job.

The Marching Minutemen faced a challenging rehearsal where thousands of bugs swarmed the field. Problems are opportunities in work clothes!

Creating the classroom culture is vital to the successful start of a new school year. Loud, quiet, fast, slow - the possibilities are endless.

Ever wonder what goes on inside a teacher's brain?

It's like the Sunday Scaries, except for school. Teachers are going through some emotions as the first day of school approaches.

The hard things don't get easier; students just get better at doing hard things. Helping students tackle rigor and scaffolding the process is discussed in this episode.

In the midst of band camp, the students are being pushed musically and physically. Steve and Jack discuss other teachable moments they have found during the week that have nothing to do with marching, spinning, or playing.

In the midst of band camp, learning new concepts can be challenging. It's the job of the teacher to convey these in challenges in a way that make them simple. Not easy, but simple.

Learning can be loud too! Controlled chaos can be a fun way to teach and engage.

After recently performing at a few venues, Jack shares with Steve how playing guitar and singing for an audience can directly relate with the environment of a classroom.

After experiencing "technical difficulties" 4 times in a row, the podcasting duo decided to take a different approach and speak about the art of "pivoting" in teaching.

Stories of the early years of teaching were shared, where authoritarian tactics were used. Now, the duo has pivoted to meeting behaviors in a much more calm manner.

A whole year of Chops! The duo spends the 50th episode sharing their experiences of creating a podcast and how it helped them grow in their craft.

Chops hosts a live episode with students of CHS. Students were asked to share what they wish their teachers knew.