The Kindergarten Toolbox

Should kindergarten students have classroom jobs? Classroom jobs have been a tradition in elementary classrooms for years, but are they actually teaching responsibility or creating more work for teachers? In this episode, I'm sharing why I stopped using traditional classroom jobs in my kindergarten classroom and switched to a simple Helper of the Day system instead. You'll hear how this...

Should kindergarten students have individual school supplies or community supplies? It's one of the biggest classroom setup decisions kindergarten teachers make before the school year begins. In this episode, we're breaking down the pros and cons of both systems and why the "right" answer depends more on your classroom management than the supplies themselves. I'll share wh...

If you're planning for the first week of kindergarten and feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to teach, this episode is for you. One of the biggest mistakes kindergarten teachers make is trying to jump straight into academics before teaching students how to be students. Before children can successfully learn letters, numbers, and all the other skills on your curriculum map, they need t...

Are you a new kindergarten teacher preparing for your first year in the classroom? Or maybe you're switching grade levels and wondering what makes kindergarten so different from every other grade? In this episode, I'm sharing my biggest piece of advice for new kindergarten teachers: assume they don't know how to do anything. From lining up and walking in the hallway to using the bat...

Before school starts, there are five classroom management decisions every kindergarten teacher should make. Too often, we spend our back-to-school time organizing supplies, decorating bulletin boards, and planning lessons while putting off the classroom management planning that actually helps our year run smoothly. But students don't struggle because your classroom isn't decorated. They...

Do calm kindergarten classrooms have better-behaved students? Not always. In this episode, we're talking about the real secret to successful classroom management in kindergarten. It isn't a complicated behavior system or the latest classroom management trend. It's simple, predictable systems that help students know what to expect. We'll discuss why consistency matters so much i...

When classroom management feels exhausting, the problem may not be your students or your behavior strategies. It may be that too much of your classroom depends on you constantly reminding, redirecting, and holding everything together all day long. In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most powerful kindergarten classroom management tools teachers often overlook: simple visual systems. Fr...

Getting kindergarten students to stop talking can feel impossible sometimes. The blurting, interruptions, constant calling out, and nonstop classroom chatter can quickly make your classroom feel chaotic and exhausting. And after a while, it starts to feel like you’re spending your entire day repeating: “Raise your hand.” “Stop talking.” “Voice level zero.” In this episode of The Kindergarten Toolb...

If your kindergarten classroom feels louder, messier, and harder to manage right now, you are not alone. End-of-year behavior in kindergarten is real, and May can start to feel like pure survival mode for teachers. In this episode, we’re talking about the “May-cember” effect, why classroom behavior gets harder at the end of the school year, and realistic ways to make these last few weeks feel more...

Kindergarten classroom management shouldn’t feel this hard, but if you’re constantly repeating directions, managing every transition, and ending the day exhausted, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re breaking down why classroom management still feels overwhelming even when you’re using routines, behavior strategies, and clear expectations. Here’s what’s actually happening: It’s not that you n...

In this episode of The Kindergarten Toolbox Podcast, Amy Murray breaks down the three essential components of effective kindergarten classroom management : clear expectations, visual supports, and consistent routines. If your classroom feels unpredictable, if you are constantly repeating directions, or if your behavior strategies are not sticking, this episode will help you understand what is miss...

In this episode of the Kindergarten Toolbox Podcast, Amy Murray breaks down what a well-managed kindergarten classroom really looks like on a normal day. Not perfect. Not silent. But structured, predictable, and calm enough for real teaching to happen. You’ll hear what shifts when simple systems and clear expectations are in place, from smoother routines and transitions to more focused small group...

You try a behavior strategy… and it works. Your class is calmer.  You’re finally able to teach. And then… it stops. If you feel like you’re constantly starting over with classroom management, this episode is for you. Let’s chat about why behavior strategies work at first—but don’t last—and what your classroom actually needs instead. Because it’s not that nothing works… You just haven’t been given...

Phonemic awareness in kindergarten does not always click with repetition alone. Many students need more support than fast-paced, verbal routines can provide. In this episode, we break down how to teach phonemic awareness using hands-on and visual activities that support skills like rhyming, syllables, and beginning, medial, and ending sounds so students truly understand and apply these foundationa...

Alphabet principles and letter sounds are the foundation of literacy and a huge part of what we teach in kindergarten.  But what's the best way to introduce letters? In this episode, I explain how we introduce letters and sounds in the first 30 days of kindergarten and how you can use the tools to reinforce learning all year long.  The key is to set up predictable routines with activities tha...

What consequences can you use in kindergarten if you aren't allowed to take away recess?  In this episode, we talk about natural consequences, and I share a classroom management secret weapon.  Free Glow & Grow Notes Kindergarten Behavior Blueprint Show Notes:  https://kindergartentoolbox.com/episode-12-behavior-consequences-to-try-in-kindergarten-without-taking-away-recess/

Teaching sentence writing in kindergarten is much easier when students understand what a sentence is so they can learn the basic conventions and check their own work using a simple checklist. In this episode, we talk about how to teach kindergarteners to write sentences with our 5-star sentences method.  You can teach beginning writers to independently write real sentences! 🔗 Join Kindergarten Wr...

If your kindergarten students struggle with sentence writing, this episode is for you. Many students are asked to write sentences before they truly understand what a sentence is, which leads to frustration, random words, or a complete writing shutdown. In this episode, we break down how to teach sentence structure in kindergarten using naming part and telling part so students understand that a sen...

Is your kindergarten behavior system not working anymore? If your classroom reward system or behavior chart has lost its effectiveness, this episode will help you reset with confidence. Learn what actually makes a kindergarten behavior system work, including picture-based visuals (not just text), focusing on one behavior at a time, using concrete progress tracking, and staying consistent so studen...

If your kindergarten small groups are constantly interrupted, this episode is for you. Learn how to reduce interruptions during centers by using visual schedules, picture directions, predictable routines, and simple behavior goals that build real independence. Discover how to help kindergarten students work independently so you can actually teach your small groups without nonstop questions and dis...

If you feel like you’re constantly repeating directions and kindergarten students still aren’t listening, this episode is for you. In this episode, we break down why kindergarteners struggle to follow directions the first time and why it’s not about better wording or louder reminders. You’ll learn how using visuals, structure, and consistent routines helps kindergarten students listen, remember di...

Tattling in kindergarten can feel nonstop and exhausting.   In this episode, Amy breaks down why constant tattling isn’t just a behavior problem, but a trust and classroom culture issue. You’ll learn the difference between tattling and reporting, why ignoring tattles can actually make things worse, and simple, practical strategies to reduce tattling without shutting kids down. From positive behavi...

If your kindergarten writing center looks great but your students freeze, wander, or constantly interrupt you, this episode is for you. In this episode, we unpack why kindergarteners struggle with independent writing tasks and how starting with simple skills like labeling can transform your writing center. You’ll learn how breaking writing into smaller, concrete steps builds confidence, increases...

If planning the 100th day of kindergarten has you feeling overwhelmed and behind, this episode is for you. With Pinterest ideas and social media pressure everywhere, it is easy to feel like you need to do more to make the day special. In this episode, I’m sharing low-prep, low-stress ways to celebrate the 100th day of school that keep routines calm and kids successful. We cover simple activity ide...

Do you ever feel like your classroom sounds like a playground no matter how many times you ask your students to be quiet? If you find yourself constantly competing with the chatter of your kindergarten students, this episode is just for you. Today, we're diving into practical, easy to implement strategies to bring peace and order back to your classroom, all while supporting your students&apos...