Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

How you start and end your day can make a big difference in how your classroom runs. Last week I shared a simple, yet effective, morning routine. This week I'm sharing a fantastic end of day routine. If you are enjoying these classroom management hack mini-episodes, I would love to know! Screenshot this episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me  @beginningteachertalk. Show Notes: https...

Leading small reading groups is an important part of your day whether you're a lower or upper elementary teacher. Yet, it's a skill that many of you probably didn't receive much training on in University. Whether you're brand new to teaching, or you've been teaching for multiple years, it's fantastic to be able to learn from other teacher experts who have been where you are and have figured this o...

Mornings can be one of the most chaotic times of the day in your classroom, but solid routines help! If you don't have a clear morning routine yet, then you're going to love this hack, which I'm calling your Rock-Star Ready Morning Routine.  If you are enjoying these classroom management hack mini-episodes, I would love to know! Screenshot this episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me...

Part of setting yourself up for a successful school year is investing in some essential items. It can be so tough to know what you should and shouldn't buy when you're getting ready to set up your very first classroom.  The reality is, you could spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a lot of really cute things. But then you run the risk of getting into your classroom and realizing that you don...

Are your students always running to line up when it's time to leave the classroom? I have a hack for you in today's episode that will solve that problem! If you are enjoying these classroom management hack mini-episodes, I would love to know! Screenshot this episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me  @beginningteachertalk. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/running-to-line-...

One of the first things that become a source of stress as a new teacher is how to set up your classroom. It can be really tough to decide how to divide up your space and how to know the best way to set up things like furniture, storage, etc. One thing is for sure - you will be spending a lot of time in your classroom, so taking the time to think through the small details is well worth it! Inside t...

This magic word classroom management hack is a super simple way to ensure that your students are paying attention during your lessons. You and your kids will love it! If you are enjoying these classroom management hack mini-episodes, I would love to know! Screenshot this episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me  @beginningteachertalk. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/mag...

Today's episode marks episode number one inside our Spring New Teacher Training Series for 2022. Every spring, I like to focus on a series of very special topics that a lot of new teachers have been asking me about and are really interested in learning more about. So this year, we're kicking off this series with a very special episode, all about super creative class jobs. You will hear seven creat...

Are you ready for another quick classroom management hack? I love this one because it really keeps kiddos on their toes trying to figure out who the mystery learner might be. Also, for any of you who are substitute teaching right now, this is a great way to get the kids on your side from the start!  If you are enjoying these classroom management hack mini-episodes, I would love to know! Screenshot...

Do you consider yourself a worrier? Maybe you have students in your classroom who are constantly worrying too. If so, you're not alone. I consider myself a recovering worrier and I know how much worrying and anxiety can affect your mental and physical health. I have some practical strategies that will help to change the way you think about your worries and get you out of a constant state of anxiet...

You know how sometimes when you're struggling with something in your classroom every single day and it's driving you crazy, but you cannot figure out what the solution is? The perfect example of this is the white glue bottles in your classroom. Usually, kids only half screw the lids back on, which results in dried glue or a big chunk of hardened glue at the top. Today's hack is going to solve this...

There's been a question that has come up constantly in the Beginning Teacher Talk private Facebook group and inside my R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy. That question is, how do you build a connection with your most challenging students? Sometimes no matter how hard you try to nurture your relationships with students, there are still kids who push back or ignore you altogether. I have a solution for...

As teachers, we are always looking for ideas and strategies that work when it comes to getting our students' attention quickly and easily. That's why I love this idea that I'm calling the "Make 10 Attention-Getter". This hack is an engaging way to re-focuses your students' attention on you.  If you are enjoying these classroom management hack mini-episodes, I would love to know! Screenshot this ep...

One of the most challenging parts of teaching is knowing how to support your students who are  struggling with reading. This is especially prevalent right now, as we're all experiencing massive gaps because of everything that children have been through with COVID. There has been lots of virtual learning from home, and that means that kids may not have gotten the level of support and reading instru...

Are you tired of nameless papers being handed in? This week's classroom management hack is going to share a simple solution that your students will love! If you are enjoying these classroom management hack mini-episodes, I would love to know! Screenshot this episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me  @beginningteachertalk. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/nameless-papers...

It's tough being a kid and learning how to navigate big emotions like sadness, anger, frustration, stress, and disappointment. I'm sure you've noticed that some of your students have a more difficult time than others when it comes to processing these types of emotions. We all have those students who have really big tempers, or become upset easily. Having a special space in your classroom where stu...

New teachers often tell me that they have a hard time remembering to use, or keep up with, their classroom management system. This makes it really difficult for it to be effective if you keep forgetting to use it, right? This week's hack, the reward monitor, will solve this problem! If you are enjoying these classroom management hack mini-episodes, I would love to know! Screenshot this episode, ad...

In episode 159 , I broke down what natural consequences are and I gave you some specific examples of how this works in your classroom. If you haven't listened to that episode, I highly recommend that you go back and listen to that first because it is going to give you a foundation to what I'm discussing today! It's important to be prepared to implement natural consequences, but what do you do if y...

This week's quick classroom management is about using sign language in your classroom. This hack will help to eliminate students constantly blurting out during lessons! If you are enjoying these classroom management hack mini-episodes, I would love to know! Screenshot this episode, add it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @beginningteachertalk. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/si...

Regardless of all the rules and routines you've put in place in your classroom, you will always have that student who just doesn't follow them. So, what do you do when a student doesn't listen? Do you get frustrated? Do you ignore the behavior? The best answer I can give you is to start implementing natural consequences. Today I'm going to share 5 steps to take to delver a natural consequence quic...

This week's quick classroom management hack is ketchup, mustard, and pickles folders! This hack is a super cute and fun way to keep work organized and to keep track of which work still needs to be completed. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/folders Grab your FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/checklist-hacks Join the Chaos to Confidence Classr...

Have you ever heard of a teacher interview lesson? If you are preparing for interviews, there's a chance that you may be asked to do one of these. An interview lesson is when you go into a classroom and teach a lesson while being observed. If this sounds scary and stressful to you, you aren't alone! Many teachers feel intimidated by this process. However, there are things you can do ahead of time...

This week's quick classroom management hack is a hand sanitizer bathroom pass. This is such a simple way to keep track of who is using the bathroom while also encouraging the habit of washing your hands after using the bathroom. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/bathroom-pass Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGro...

Have you considered quitting teaching this year? If you have, you're definitely not alone. Between COVID, school closures, sub shortages, lack of support from adminstrators, and plenty of toxic positivity, it would be surprising if you haven't questioned your desire to continue. This discussion today is not to tell you whether you should or should not leave this profession. Instead, it is an hones...

These cupcake points are such a fun classroom management hack! You can use them to keep your kiddos motivated and on-track with your routines and procedures inside your classroom, especially around Valentine's Day. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/cupcake-points Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private FB Group now:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningTeacherTalkGroup/ Check out...